Oweing council tax

[selule12]

Anyone know how it works with oweing council tax, will it go to a ccj only owne about 300 but threatening to take it to court. Never owed before not sure what to do

Do you know how quick things will move and how long I have

Thanks

You can just call them and arrange a payment plan before you get a summons.

It is a priority debt. If you missed an instalment the balance for the year is due then court action will be taken if that is not forthcoming.

It’s really not worth getting a CCJ over £300.

Arrange a payment plan with them.

I just don't have it right now that's all and I'm not sure is that their next action? Ccj?

I don't know BUT this happened to one of our employees at work recently and they sent an attachment of earning order so we have to take it out of his pay. I don't know at what stage this happens though.

Court action would be the next step. Can you not make any offer?

Speak to them and set up a payment plan, once it goes to court the fees will be so much higher

Payment plan payment plan payment plan. If it was 30K then I’d understand the CCJ. £300 is not worth a CCJ at all

Believe it or not we got our first ever red letter for owing £0.01 to the council. Even the lady laughed when we rang up about it, but in all fairness it wasn't a laughing matter being threatened for a penny that we apparently owed from 2 years ago. Council lady said well I guess I can't offer a payment plan for a penny and to make a point the next day hubby went in with a penny to the office before work and paid it.

So they spent over a pound on a stamp to tell you you owe a penny?

My friend fell behind on council tax and within a few months (three I think) it went to court and he was issued with a CCJ.

Once the judgement is made you have 30 days to pay up before it is registered on your credit record for six years. Pay it within the 30 days and it goes away, but it can only be a lump sum and not a payment plan at that point.

It is not a ccj it goes to a magistrates court for the court to stamp the document the ctax department take and it basically confirms liability for the bill and then grants the council avenues to pursue the debt ie attachment of earnings or bailiff.

Ring them asap and make a payment arrangement, it will be subject to them getting that court order if you are at that stage. There is no ccj so nothing on your credit file. We used to take 1500 cases a time and that was way before the cost of living crisis.

Council tax is tax collected locally so it is a priority for everyone, first rent/mortgage and then council tax. Utilities after that as they amounts they can collect back with a prepayment meter are much smaller than the attachment of earnings which is set by central gov if memory serves.

Honestly, they will try to help you, they are there to collect money in and want to make payment arrangements. If you ever can't make a full payment pay what you can and contact them. Don't just leave it.

I used to work in council tax so I know how it works.

Balls person die they actually go to court? Thanks

I heard on one of the money programmes on R4 that council tax is the most important bill to clear. If you are 'choosing' (wrong word, i know) between council tax and (for example) water bill pay council tax because they always take matters further unless payment plan etc.

I had what I owed spread over the next two following years alongside keeping my current council tax up to date. Wouldn't be loads for you?

It depends where you live. If you're in Scotland you don't get a ccj and it does NOT affect your credit file. You get two reminders, then it goes to a summary court warrant which adds a charge of around 50 pounds then it's passed on to a debt collectetor who adds on ten percent. Every time a sheriff officer comes out an extra 50 or so is added. Call the council, explain you're having financial difficulty and arrange a payment plan.

That will be the debt collectors who does the bank attachment or arrest wages only once they can't make contact with the person by going to their door or calling or if you fail to adhere to a payment plan you set up.

Council tax isn't a CCJ. It's a magistrates court summons which is different. I've found the council really help with repayment plans though

Councils are renowned for aggressive collection of council tax. If you don't pay and set up.a payment plan and stick.to it you'll be taken to court, get a CCJ and your credit rating will be shit for 6 years. It should be one of the first debts you pay.

If you're in a position where you're not able to pay your council tax, you need advice based on your full circumstances from a debt charity.

But first you need to put together a comprehensive budget to see what position you're in. Moneysavingexpert.com has a good budget planner with signposting to a benefit check, other help, and how to prioritise and cut costs to make your money go as far as possible.

You need to do this ASAP and tell the council you're getting budgeting advice so they know you're trying to deal with the problem rather than being a 'won't pay' due to disorganisation or preferring to spend your money elsewhere.

Not all of that is correct. It IS a priority bill, however it doesn't lead to a CCJ. It leads to a liability order, which doesn't affect credit file, but means they can apply for all sorts of undesirable collection methods.

If they can't collect the money any other way it does go to CCJ at least in some councils.

If they take it to court, there will be a few hundred added on for costs if it's my local council, so best to ring up and make an arrangement to pay straight away.

Council tax is the one bill you should pay FIRST as they are very aggressive in collecting it and add costs at every stage, so a £300 bill can turn into £600 very quickly.

I've at different times owed council tax & been involved with billing. This is quite helpful
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/dealing-with-urgent-debts/dealing-with-council-tax-arrears/

If you've had a reminder, you have seven days before they start escalating. If it goes to magistrates, it's a special court that effectively sits at council HQ and rubber stamps liability orders hundreds at a time. The costs imposed will quickly go above the £300 owed.

Please ring your council tomorrow. They will offer a payment plan. They just want to be paid.