council demanding so called over payment from 7 years ago

[hercules]

7 years ago when I went back to work the council claimed we owed them money. I wrote to them detailing everything and heard much later back that they had revised the amount. I wrote again detailing everything and 7 years later got a letter demanding payment.

I no longer have any of the paperwork and have forgotten the details. How on earth am I meant to appeal this?

they have at least one of my letters but said I would need to appeal again.

can they do this 7 years later?

ask them to send you a copy of initial letter

I have a weird feeling that there's a limit on chasing overdue bills .. it might just be credit cards though .. I though it was 7 years but might be totally wrong on both counts

I thought you only had to keep paperwork for IR for 6 years

I assumed it was done and dusted as they never responded to my last letter.

the trouble is I can only reiterate what was in my original letters anyway which they have.

I don't think they can chase for this. We had a similar letter, and luckily dh keeps everything so was able to prove that we didn't owe them a penny - but I'm pretty sure they can only chase you for debts going back a certain amount of time. Check with your CAB.

Certainly to chase you again aafter this time they must be able to supply sufficient paperwork to show that a debt is still due - a demand per se is not sufficient. They need to be able to show how the debt has arisen, how it is calculated and a statement of accounts showing what has been padi to date. Do not accept any liability until you get this proof.