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Can I Stop my Ex's Debts coming for me?! HELP PLEASE X

9 replies

aneedtochange · 20/10/2019 14:38

A bit of a long one but I will try and make it as short and sweet as possible.

When I was with my ex Our arrangement was I paid the gas and electric the food bill and any thing else that we needed, things for our daughter, clothes luxuries. He paid the rent and the council tax.
After we split after he cheated on me and walked out on me and my daughter. I started getting an influx of debt letters. He had not been paying any of the rent or council tax and he managed to hide this from me as he was always home before me and hid all the letters and correspondence. Any way 5 years later after paying thousands in council tax arrears and rent back. I finally snapped and I rang the council to ask why they were only pursuing me and not him. They told me because I work and he doesn't and claims benefits they are more likely to get a quicker payment from me that him. This seems totally unfair in my opinion. I got another letter last week from a debt collector for council tax from 2013 last week. Ive had enough. I rang them and gave them my ex's forwarding address but he's just simply stated he is not in a position to pay because his benefit is already subject to deductions. Couple this with the fact that I've never got a penny from him to help support our daughter. Although he does have her every weekend. Surely theres something I can do about this?
TIA

OP posts:
IdiotInDisguise · 20/10/2019 14:41

No idea, but I hope someone appears soon with an answer. That looks incredibly unfair.

zsazsajuju · 20/10/2019 14:42

Probably not unfortunately. You are jointly and severally liable for the council tax and probably for the rent too (depends on the terms of the lease) so they can pursue you for the full amount

zsazsajuju · 20/10/2019 14:43

I agree it’s unfair though. It happened to me at uni where a flat mate paid none of her rent. I had to pay it all

aneedtochange · 20/10/2019 14:46

That is my point exactly, we are jointly liable. Why are they only pursuing me. Ive already paid Thousands back. I just don't understand why he seemingly seems to be getting away with firstly putting me in this position in the first place and then not having to handle a single one of the consequences.

OP posts:
Windydaysuponus · 20/10/2019 14:53

Similar op... I wrote to all accepting financial responsibility for 50 %of each debt only.
I paid just that no issues.
Be firm op.

Shamoo · 20/10/2019 15:08

By law I suspect it is joint and several liability, meaning that they can come against either of you for all of it. Which is really unfair in situations like this. If I were you I would try and negotiate something different, but I suspect legally you can’t prevent it if they insist.

zsazsajuju · 20/10/2019 15:38

The point is that you are joint and severally liable so are each liable for the full amount to the landlord/council. They Wont pursue him if he can’t pay, as what’s the point. You could try negotiating with them but legally they can come after you for the full amount.

Justonemorepiece · 20/10/2019 15:43

When my ex did the same (council tax) I said we were no longer together and as we are both jointly responsible I will pay half.
They said that was fine and chase him for his half. (He was on JSA) I never heard a thing since.

Lifeisabeach09 · 20/10/2019 18:39

Contact citizens advice and Stepchange for advice. Figure out how much was owed and how much you've paid back.
Personally, I'd fight to pay only half. Let them take you court if need be.

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