Anyone had council debt?

[Val1254]

Hi all,

I really need some assurance as I am worried sick. Jualst found out I have a debt that I owe to the Local Authority ie the Council.
Im so worried as I am disabled and on Universal credit. I'm worried they will instantly demand I pay it all or they will demand installments that are too much for me. Im also worried they may demand I show them my bank statements and examine all my income and out goings and deicide I can pay more than I really know I can.
Anyone have any experience with debt owed to the council and what happened exactly and what you ended up paying per month, what type of debt was it?
Im in Scotland but sure its similar to England ie debt owed to the Council.

What's the debt for? There will be different recovery legislation depending on what it is.

I had council tax debt in Scotland(years old and I was unaware! Probably could have contested it mind you) but they let me pay a nominal amount off per month,

Its actually expenses I owe them from a court case I lost against them. Not sure if the council will want me to pay them directly or via a solicitor firm.

Thanks. Did they just ask how much you can afford and took your word for it and then set up a payment plan?
Did the orginal letter offer a payment plan pr did you have to ask for one.?

How much, roughly speaking, is the debt?

I would get advice from Stepchange. They are debt charity and their advice is free.I

maybe you can negotiate a payment plan paying a small amount each month?

Do you have any letters about it from the court? If not, contact the court. I process costs and compensation payments like this and some of them are pennies so please don't panic that you'd have to pay all at once.

I think I called them and offered a minimal amount a month. It was debt that was years old so I figured they could bloody wait for it too.

They may want evidence of incomings/outgoings, and bank statements, but they should be pretty reasonable with repayment demand.

Thanks for this.
Thats good you work in processing court costs.

I haven't got the letter yet. But when I lost the case against the council.the Councils solicitor said to the Judge "the respondent (council) have asked for expenses to be awarded against the petitioner" then the Judge said "expenses awarded awarded against the petitioner"
My solicitor then stood up and said
"This would be most unjjust as the petitioner is of limited means, only a small amoint of savings and in receipt of Universal Credit with disabled children'
the Judge said "Yes I am aware of this but the losing party is liable for the other parties costs"
The case was motivated by me simply trying to get a social care my disabled daughter needs.

So now I am worried sick and want to know about what happens from someone like yourself. Im worried Im going to have to declare bankruptcy and loose the very small things I have. I want to know if I will be offered a payment plan to avoid that.

Can I ask a few questions please?

1. Have you delt with any from people who have lost a case against the council?

2. Have you dealt with anyone who set up a payment plan who lost a case against the council?

3. How did they set up the payment plan? Did they just get a letter with the total and the letter said something like if you need to set up a payment plan please contact us?

4. Did they need to supply their bank statements and prove their income and Outgoings in order for a payment plan to be accepted? It wouod feel so invasive if I have to do this. Really hope not.

5. Did any of them provide a Universal credits statement and that was sufficient on their own?

6. Do you work for the councils legal department or the court that processes people's expenses when rhey loose a case against the council or whoever?

Thanks