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Unpaid Council Tax

2 replies

mumtobealloveragain · 23/01/2014 17:21

A property I jointly own with my ex has an unpaid Council tax debt. The account is in both our names and for a period where neither of us were living there, it was unoccupied. The local council recently changed their rules so we have to pay Council Tax (at a reduced rate) even for unoccupied properties.

It's a large amount. I can't afford to pay it all but I am happy to pay half and think that it is fair that we both pay half. He refuses to pay any at all and honestly he doesn't care if he gets a CCJ etc as his credit rating is ruined anyway. I do understand we are jointly and severally liable for this debt.

Would this be the sort of thing I can apply to the Small Claims Court for them to make a ruling on? It's fair that we both pay half each, neither of us lived there at the time and we both work so both have equal ability to pay.

If not, is there anything else I can do? It's over £1000 and the final demands are getting more demanding. I know Council Tax debt is taken very seriously indeed. Hmm

OP posts:
ladyjulian · 23/01/2014 20:26

Try your local CAB for advice - they will know what your particular council is like. You could try speaking to the council and explaining but the danger there is that some councils will just pursue you and ignore your ex if they think there's one of you they might squeeze some money out of.

Small claims would I think only work if you pay the full amount and then pursue your ex for half of it.

mumtobealloveragain · 23/01/2014 23:15

Thank you! I haven't actually contacted the Council yet (not silly I know). I just know they'll accept payment from me and chase me for the rest, they won't agree to making me liability for half and him half will they Hmm

So it's looks as though I may have to pay it all and try and get half back via small claims court. What a twat Hmm

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