Need to raise some money within 2 weeks maximum.

[dumbbell]

Hi, I've changed my nickname for this one, apologies.

I've just been told that we have a substantial council tax debt, unpaid for many years. We've moved frequently over the last eight years so I think they've tried to contact us but we never got the communications.

A week or so ago we received some forwarded post (kindly forwarded by new homeowners) and within there was a letter from a collections agency detailing what we owed. We contacted them to discuss and give our new details and at that point were told it was with the bailiffs, and that we needed to pay etc etc.
I spoke to the council, who I have to say have been very good, but even so we have to now find £1200 within the next two weeks (the rest we can pay monthly for a few months).

So, my question, any (legal ) ideas to raise funds are very very gratefully received.
I ask this sincerely-I do not want to have to sell my car which will be the only way I can raise the funds needed if I have to.

TIA x

a loan eg on internet account

credit card?

overdraft

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think I'll be able to get any credit at the moment tbh.
Apart from a mortgage company making a huge mistake on my credit file, which is in the throes of being corrected, we're both still catching up from redundancy. But thank you.

hmm..apart from selling something or borrowing from friends or relations i can't think of anything..adding to your mortgage?

I take it you've got all the exact dates etc from the council? a similar thing happened to me and I was able to reduce the debt substantially by giving exact dates as to when I moved out of houses etc. I did have to prove it though which was a pain.

but 1200 in two weeks is a tall order - think you need to speak to your bank. then you could ask who can think of how to raise a 100 a month for a year: that would be easier!

but why the big lump sum anyway? don't they have to accept any "reasonable offer" of repayment?

When i had council tax arrears they sent me a form to fill in with wage details(xp) and other bills/food etc and asked us how much we could afford to pay.They replied saying the offer wasn't enough! Now im on my own i only have to pay it back at £5 a week.

Hi everyone.
I've offered a monthly repayment but they won't accept it. They're telling me that they can't accept a "reasonable" repayment offer unless I pay a substantial amount initially.
I'm dealing with the collections department, and they are then dealing with the collection agency/bailiffs or so I'm told.

I do think there's a few tactics going on though beause when I first called the collection agency they told me to speak directly to the council which may could help my case (this agency were perfectly reasonable when I explained my case). When I first rang the council they said they couldn'y help and that I just to deal with the bailiffs. Again, explained and they passed me onto their collections department. This department are telling me that they can't/won't instruct the bailiff to step down unless a lump sum is paid and the monthly payment plan adhered too.

So, am a bit stuck. I think I will try to offer a smaller sum and then (good idea) speak to the bank anyway to see if they'll be able to help.

Thanks for all the replies. Sometimes it feels so much bigger when you're dealing with it "alone"! iyswim

they are friggers... we suddenly got a letter about a flat we rented saying WE had to pay the council tax, and if not, the bailiffs would come. We asked if we could pay when DH got paid, but they refused. We had to borrow from relative because the baliffs were going to come, and they wouldnt accept any offer. Have you got anything you can sell on ebay?

in this area once it has gone to bailiffs the council won't have it back

Thanks everyone. I know it's pathetic to get so worked up about it, but I do.
It does make me annoyed as we always pay up. Our circumstances at that point were two redundancies in close succession and an ill child-they don't care though do they.

I pay council tax, parking, taxes the lot (as you all do too I'm know.)
Wasn't there a thread asking for comments from people who wanted out of this country...

just wondered if this link could help
how to deal with bailiffs
have you offered an attachment of earnings order?