had a council tax summons today and don't know what to do.........

[wannabe10]

Right today I had a council tax summons for court. They have been sending them to he wrong house and haven't been getting them thinking the bill was being paid.
I am four hundred in arrears and can't pay. Can I go and see them and arrange for them to add it to the new direct debit?
Am really worried about it...........

If you make an offer to pay that could stop it going to court. I'm afraid ignorance may well not be any defence since presumably you have had bank statements showing no payments although sending the bills to the wrong address won't help the council's case.

can you prove council sent them at the wrong house or is it a postman mistake?

As LISZ I thing you should get in touch with them to find an arrangement as it will probably cost them more to go through with the court.

Yes you can make an offer and they will sort out a payment plan. The important thing is to get in contact as soon as possible, presumably Monday now. Local Authorities want to avoid taking people to court and will not proceed if they have spoken to you and set up a payment plan. You will have to stick to it though, so make sure it is a realistic amount.

Ask them if they would be willing to waive the costs, sometimes they will as a goodwill gesture.

Don't worry, it will be fine once you have contacted them. Be prepared for a bit of a wait on the phones though, a lot of other people will probably be trying to get through as well if they have just mailed out a load of summonses.

If their system shows they have been sending them to the wrong address they will amend your account and cancel your summons providing you make a reasonable offer to sort out a payment plan. They will want the arrears cleared by 31 March though.

It went to my old address. I moved out in August. Tbh I don't really pay that much attention to my bank account, just have dd's for everything and spend whats left

so does this bill apply to your old or new address ? Normally you have to pay up in full when you move .

New address but went to old house?!
Was completely up to date with the tax at the old place

Work out what you can afford to pay them each month and make them an offer. They may send you a form to fill out detailing your outgoings and your income (be careful to fill this out in a way that makes your offer look reasonable).
FWIW you can always keep on negotiating with councils, they would rather get something off you than have to strip your house of furniture.

Strip my house of furniture!
GOD

Remember also to make use of your local councillor if you have any problems with the 'suit' you speak to. The councillors have sod all to do with residents much of the time and would probably be happy to support you, could be a useful ally. Especially if they think you will vote for them.

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Glad to hear it dilemma.

Thanks for the link dilemma456.

It has been sorted and they waived the fees as it had gone to the wrong address.
Feel very relieved.....

Great, that's good news

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No problems dilemma, I felt a bit guilty for making a generalisation based on my own limited experience. Sorry you have people swearing at you, it must be a thankless task.

Sorry for any confusion dilemma, I 'bagsied' a new name last night and forgot to change back before posting!

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That's lovely dilemma