Council tax court debt

[sheard]

Through no fault of my own a reduced income I got into council tax debt it went to court and a liability order made to repay they offered me two hundred a month settlement i agreed but my income had dramatically reduced due to son leavening education and home suddenly could I get it reduced monthly payment or not don't want bailiffs in!!!

Is it still the council collecting the debt or has it been passed over to a debt collection company? Hopefully it's still the council.
Either way the worst thing you can do is bury your head and do nothing, ask them and explain your change in circumstances, what's the worst that can happen?

Go back to the council and ask negotiate
Do you claim council tax reduction? Do you live alone and get 25%off

It's gone to court and a liability order made and I live with partner

So you’ve got a court charge

But still go back to council to set up an arrangement to pay the tax that you owe and the tax for this year

The liability order is if you default on payments after it’s been to bailiff- so don’t let it get to bailiff stage and go and visit council and see if you can work out a special payment plan to sort this before any more costs are incurred

Oh and check the council website tonight to see where you can apply online for council tax reduction and if so apply now and then upload your documents

At least then if you qualify for a reduction you’ll get a discount on this years bill

How has your income reduced due to your son leaving education and home?

Presumably loss of tax credits or other top ups @jemihap ?

colehawlins - If that is the case then surely the OP has to reclaim for Tax Credits and other ''top ups'' in their own name... and if they're claim is unsuccessful they can go out and get a job?

What makes you assume that she doesn't have a job @jemihap ?

And if one had a low income and dependent children one would "claim in ones own name". But you wouldn't get the same level of too up once the D.C. left home.

Goodness knows why I'm explaining all this to you

Check to see if your council has a discretionary help scheme you can apply for.

colehawlins - Once the DC have left home then the OP can increase their income by working more hours, taking a second job etc... Why should they be entitled to just continue getting the same level of benefits when they no longer have ''dependant'' DC's?

It's really not that complicated.

colehawlins - Once the DC have left home then the OP can increase their income by working more hours, taking a second job etc...

How do you know what hours OP works?

Why should they be entitled to just continue getting the same level of benefits when they no longer have ''dependant'' DC's?

Nobody said they should.

It's really not that complicated.

No it's really not. Just stop assuming things.

Teacup discretionary payments are not for paying off debts and op would need to be claiming HB or UC to apply

If you have a liability order you generally need to arrange payment with the bailiffs instead of the council. They are normally very reasonable and will understand your income has dropped. As long as you speak to them (dont just start paying less) they will normally amend the payments

I and my husband work full time and I cannot do overtime as I'm a term time worker but I do do 50 hours per week with disabilities kids and I also volunteer so don't judge my income dropped due to no cb and maintenance payments and yes I'm looking for extra work

The best advice you've been given is to speak to the bailiffs, explain and come to an arrangement.

Also you will need to make sure you can pay the ongoing liabilities as well, not just service the arrears. You'll need to look at your finances and see where you can economise I'm afraid. Council Tax is a priority debt and you can't just stop paying because your circumstances are paid. Also, they will be less accommodating with coming to an arrangement if you don't keep up with the ongoing liabilities. They can get very heavy handed with CT debts and rightly so - councils are cash strapped and they cannot afford to be lax about non payments.

Have you and your DP got a household budget? Or do you keep finances separate? Can he contribute more?

As a PP says, council tax is a priority debt - that means you have to pay it first, before everything else. So if you have other debts e.g. store cards etc you need to stop paying to those and contact somewhere like StepChange or CAB.

Contact your council and ask for an income and expenditure form, you will need to complete with all income and outgoings, then make an offer you can afford based on those figures. I used to work for local authority and they should accept a reasonable offer.

Thanks even though their is a liability order can this happen?

Yes, they just want to be paid, they won’t refuse a reasonable offer of payment. You’ll probably have to pay the court costs too on top of the original debt as well.

Shears, the liability order is so that at any point now if you don’t go and make some type of arrangement with the council, or don’t start paying the council a regular amount for the debt and moving forward - pay this years council tax....then the council can get the money from both yours and your husbands wages directly

Best thing to do is contact council and sort an arrangement for paying the stress and sort paying this years bill as well

Also apply for reduction if you don’t get one already - you have nothing to lose but everything to gain

Hi Op I work for a council.

We accept payment plans if your in financial difficulties. It does however need to be paying your current liability plus something towards your earnings.

I would suggest contacting someone for debt advise - CAB, StepChange or Christians against poverty (you don’t need to be religious) are a good place to start.

I would also suggesting checking out if your entitled to council tax support.