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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to not be chased frequently for council tax debt during maternity leave

182 replies

Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:00

I am due 2 grand in council tax payments, please spare the lecture and judgement I know it's stupid but these are from 8 years ago when frankly I did not have the money, it was eat or pay council tax.

I have recently been contacted about this debt, however im on maternity allowance at the moment and obviously on a very tight budget,
I do have a partner however these debts are from before we were together and frankly I don't think it's fair to drag him into it when it's from a time he wasn't in my life.

Can I defer paying this debt until I'm back in full time employment or will I be made to pay on the basis I have a partner (not married) in full time employment? Any advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:
ntmdino · 25/08/2023 12:09

You are employed, you're just not working.

And no, being pregnant doesn't mean your debts go on pause.

KinooOrKinog · 25/08/2023 12:09

You can afford to have a baby but you can't afford to pay a debt you've owed for eight years?

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 25/08/2023 12:10

Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:08

The council

You need to call them then and make a payment plan. If you're living with your DP they are likely to take his earnings into account.

Do you own your own home? Councils seem quite keen just now to get a charging order in your home and then force sale if you still don't pay.

IClaudine · 25/08/2023 12:10

OP just get in touch with them and offer a payment plan.

BranchGold · 25/08/2023 12:10

Honestly, please be sensible about this. To echo a pp, council tax is a serious debt that can come with a prison sentence.

contact them immediately and request to set up a payment plan explaining your circumstances.
The father of your child and your partner does have a responsibility to step up to the plate to meet the needs of the family he’s chosen to have.

TheBarbieEffect · 25/08/2023 12:11

KinooOrKinog · 25/08/2023 12:09

You can afford to have a baby but you can't afford to pay a debt you've owed for eight years?

This too. Why haven’t you paid it for so long?

ItstimeToMoveagain · 25/08/2023 12:11

Ring them and sort out a parent plan before it goes to court and bailiffs and you end up paying even more

ChilliNoodleGoodness · 25/08/2023 12:11

If you are either heavily pregnant or have a newborn, you could be considered vulnerable. Apply for breathing space through the insolvency service

ManateeFair · 25/08/2023 12:11

Maternity leave is irrelevant, unfortunately. You need to speak to them today to discuss paying what you owe. Ask if you can set up a plan where you pay it off in monthly instalments. They will be much more amenable if you can demonstrate that you are committed to paying back at least a small contribution to what you owe now rather than telling them you can't give them anything at all until you're back at work.

Does your partner live with you? I understand why you don't want him having to pay back the debt as it's from before you met him, but given that you're together and have a child, could he pay it off for now and then you pay him back when you're back at work after your mat leave?

Original poster
Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:11

Viviennemary · 25/08/2023 12:06

You've had 8 years to pay. Why haven't you. Sounds like you've come up with a new excuse. They might let you set up a payment plant if you come up with a good enough sob story.

Because 4 of those years I went to University in order to get a job that wasn't minimum wage in order to pay for things such as council tax... so 4 of those years I was on part time wages whilst a student and then the rest I have obviously been paying current bills including council tax, stop being so judgmental when I was only asking for advice, I am aware I was stupid 8 years ago!

OP posts:
Original poster
Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:13

Some really nasty horrible people and responses on this thread, thank you for those with the genuine advice and to the rest thank you for making me feel worse than I already do!

OP posts:
billyt · 25/08/2023 12:13

You're saying for eight years it was either eat or pay council tax?

If it was either pay your council tax or eat, why the hell bring a baby into the mix? Not exactly helping with costs.

Justcallmebebes · 25/08/2023 12:13

You would be wise to contact the Council to arrange a payment plan. It won't go away if you ignore it and, as PP's have said, council tax is literally the only debt you will be imprisoned for.

Better to offer to pay something rather than nothing

NeedToChangeName · 25/08/2023 12:14

Council can't pursuer your partner for payment, as it's not his debt

But, when they're assessing your ability to pay, I guess they'll take household income into account

I think your best bet is to try to come to a payment arrangement

Leftittothelastminute · 25/08/2023 12:14

Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:11

Because 4 of those years I went to University in order to get a job that wasn't minimum wage in order to pay for things such as council tax... so 4 of those years I was on part time wages whilst a student and then the rest I have obviously been paying current bills including council tax, stop being so judgmental when I was only asking for advice, I am aware I was stupid 8 years ago!

Show quote history

If you were a student at University living by yourself then you would have been exempt from council tax.... or so I think. Have you explained this to the council?

DysmalRadius · 25/08/2023 12:15

TenOhSeven · 25/08/2023 12:03

What's being on maternity leave got to do with it? ConfusedYou owe money, they're entitled to want to know how/when you plan to pay.

As the OP is on maternity leave and in receipt of maternity allowance, she is on a fixed income that is hardly generous and is unlikely to be able to increase her income with overtime or similar, so it is relevant in terms of trying to come up with a play to repay the debt.

Cosyblankets · 25/08/2023 12:15

Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:11

Because 4 of those years I went to University in order to get a job that wasn't minimum wage in order to pay for things such as council tax... so 4 of those years I was on part time wages whilst a student and then the rest I have obviously been paying current bills including council tax, stop being so judgmental when I was only asking for advice, I am aware I was stupid 8 years ago!

Show quote history

You already had debt and now you're having a child. You don't say whether the pregnancy was planned or accidental. You can't ask people not to be judgemental when you're burying your head in the sand.
Assuming the degree led to a decent job could you not have started a payment plan 4 years ago?

PineappleYikes · 25/08/2023 12:16

YABU, you're an adult, take responsibility and pay your debt. Why do you expect other tax payers to subsidise your choice to have kids?

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 25/08/2023 12:16

ChilliNoodleGoodness · 25/08/2023 12:11

If you are either heavily pregnant or have a newborn, you could be considered vulnerable. Apply for breathing space through the insolvency service

Breathing space is an excellent piece of advice. It will hopefully take you to the time that you're back at work and earning.

Sirzy · 25/08/2023 12:17

Panicatthezoo · 25/08/2023 12:11

Because 4 of those years I went to University in order to get a job that wasn't minimum wage in order to pay for things such as council tax... so 4 of those years I was on part time wages whilst a student and then the rest I have obviously been paying current bills including council tax, stop being so judgmental when I was only asking for advice, I am aware I was stupid 8 years ago!

Show quote history

irrespective of all of that why didn’t you communicate with them before now to come up with a plan?

the situation is only going to get worse until you get on the phone to them and discuss the best way forward. The time span may make it harder to get a payment plan in place but hopefully you can but either way ignoring won’t help

everythingthelighttouches · 25/08/2023 12:17

As this debt has been going on for 8 years, perhaps you already have a payment plan in place?

I’m guessing this isn’t the first time they’ve contacted you, so I’m wondering what your last exchange with them was?

This would be helpful to know to provide advice on what to do now.

Supercat100 · 25/08/2023 12:18

Having a baby isn't a get out of jail free card. You've been very silly getting pregnant when you are in such a financial mess. I'm afraid you need to prioritise the debt. What did they say when you spoke to them about a repayment plan?

CremeEggThief · 25/08/2023 12:18

Nobody's been 'nasty', OP. 🙄

Sort it out with the Council instead of trying to find sympathy on here and arguing with people when they tell you what you don't want to hear!
Most people still find a way to pay their council tax, even on low wages and benefits. It's a question of priorities.

Comefromaway · 25/08/2023 12:19

Were you a full time student? If so did you not send in your council tax exemption certificate for that time?

But yes, council tax is the one bill you MUST prioritise over everything else. Please contact them to sort out payment plan.

Spirallingdownwards · 25/08/2023 12:20

So just call them, explain your circumstances and offer to pay a small amount per month until it is cleared. You ckukd have done this at any time during the past 8 years including whilst working part time at uni.

Time to step up and start paying. They are likely to accept a small amount as long as you are paying.