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Help - Advice about Council Tax

2 replies

Hellopuppycalling · 18/03/2010 22:44

My OH moved out last year as we split up, when I was 5 mths pregnant. Obviously when he moved out I informed the council and they gave me the single person's discount of 25%. However, in the autumn we managed to sort ourselves out and decided to give it another go for all our sakes.

I know this is going to sound lame but due to the lack of sleep, my baby being seriously ill in hospital at the same time for 5 weeks, PND and everything else going on with my OH moving back in I've completely forgotten to let the council know he's moved back in.

Its now 6 months later and he's been made redundant and we're in huge financial problems due to debt, worrying about keeping the roof over our heads and how we're going to live until he gets another job. We went to the CAB for advice on how to deal with the financial probs (which is another story entirely) but they advised him that when his job finishes at the end of March to sign on for JSA but also to apply for council tax benefit.

I'm too scared to tell him I forgot to sort out about the council tax but don't know what to do about it. I'm scared if I now come clean to the council they won't believe me and will hit us with a huge fine, which we won't be able to pay because he's lost his job and we don't have any money.

It honestly has just been a case of too much on my mind over the last 6 mths - I've never been that sort of person, and definitely wouldn't normally want to run the risk of getting a huge fine/into trouble, as I know council tax is one of the essential bills.

Can anyone give me any advice as to what to do?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 18/03/2010 23:12

Tell the Council. You are going to have to pay the extra council tax for the period since he moved back in but you are much less likely to be fined than if you don't tell them and they find out some other way. I'd be surprised if they took you to court if you come clean now.

cakeywakey · 18/03/2010 23:21

Talk to your Council - the people in the Council Tax team will chat it through with you and help you.

They will ask for the money if you come clean with them, but you may be able to agree a payment schedule with them.

Also, you may be able to start the ball rolling now to claim Council Tax benefit - they'll be able to give you all the info that you'll need. They're just people like you and me and they will genuinely want to help you - it's the people who make a point of avoiding paying that they come down hard on. Good luck and I hope things improve soon.

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