Council tax court summons

[Helplord]

Pls does anyone know what happens and how one can resolve a court summon for owed council tax, please.

By paying up, I should think. That's what they want and generally any communication about court will have instructions for how to get in touch and settle the debt. They'd rather not have to take you to court because you paid before it got that far.

Otherwise you would have to go to court and take the consequences. Council tax is a priority debt.

How have you come not to pay it? Is this the first communication on the subject?

Try to make a payment plan before it gets there or they'll add costs and send bailiffs who will add more costs depending on your area.

I know of someone who avoided paying anything to bailiffs included for 11 years. Wouldn't recommend it nowadays though. Good luck

Just call the council and tell them what you can afford to pay over the coming months over and above your current council tax liability and they will set up a plan for you.

I work for business rates rather than council tax, but when we issue a court summons the company/individual can request a payment plan to pay the debt instead of paying in full if you can’t pay the full balance. The council will still claim the liability order at the court but as long as you pay the arrangement nothing will happen. If you default on the arrangement the liability order will most likely go to bailiffs so make sure you stick to it or you will incur further costs.

If you've just received the court summons then you'll be one of several hundred - who will also try and ring Tuesday morning.

you may want to check your council opening times to rind first thing Tuesday so you can get through on the phone or if the offices are open visit in person to set up a repayment plan

as the pp says you need to set up the payment plan and you'll need to stick to it otherwise it gets passed to bailiffs

Just ring them and arrange a payment plan. I've had several in my life. Also you don't actually need to attend the court in person if it goes ahead

The court summons is for them to get a liability order. This order entitles them to look at further methods of enforcement for example Enforcement Agents, Attachment of Earnings if you are working, etc.

You don't need to attend as they won't really give you much chance to speak, if at all, during the actual hearing it's more of a formality than an actual hearing.

The best option you have is to draft up a budget showing your full income, expenditure and debts so the council can get an understanding of your financial situation. Send that over to them and make an offer of payment. They usually want it paid before the next tax year if possible. Then 12 months if next preferable after that.

If you have multiple debts and are struggling I would recommend speaking to Citizens Advice Bureau or StepChange Debt Charity as they can look at what options you have to deal with your whole situation.

They can also help you apply for the government backed breathing space scheme which gives you protection from enforcement agents, interest and fees and demands for payments for up to 60 days. This could help delay any Enforcement action if the hearing still goes ahead. (Breathing space won't stop the hearing only a pre arranged payment plan will)

Thank you all, much appreciated