Council Tax - Court Costs

animal_lover · 17th July 2008, 23:19

Last year a £74 court cost got added to my bill when they put a Liability order on my Council Tax. Can you claim that back. I know my rent officer is gonna get my Rent Court Cost refunded.

So i was just wondering if you can do the same for Council Tax.

Thanks

old_andrew2007 · 20th July 2008, 09:08

gsrigg · 27th July 2008, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by animal_lover

Last year a £74 court cost got added to my bill when they put a Liability order on my Council Tax. Can you claim that back. I know my rent officer is gonna get my Rent Court Cost refunded.

So i was just wondering if you can do the same for Council Tax.

Thanks

If the liability order is valid - you can't claim it back. E.g., if you missed a payment, it's standard procedure to whack you with a liability order. It's not fair and a money making racket / tax on the poor in my book... but unfortunately the way it is.

I'm still fighting one where I got the court cost added because I was not even aware of the liability order.... they sent all the details for my current address to the old one. They flat out refuse to withdraw the charge so I need to work on my skills of telepathy, clearly. Words come to mind that would be inappropriate to post in this forum...

~G

Conniff · 27th July 2008, 23:05

This isn't a question about the liability order, this is about the penalty charge added to the liability order fee.
A liability order costs £3, the rest is a penalty charge and as with all penalty charges can be reclaimed.

animal_lover · 28th July 2008, 09:31

Thanks Conniff, How do i reclaim it, just by sending a letter in to the Council, Thanks again

animal_lover · 29th July 2008, 03:28

Can anyone help me with what to put in my letter for reclaiming the penalty charge.

ss002d6252 · 29th July 2008, 18:43

Its not a penalty charge - the charge is not just for applying for the Liability Order, it covers the costs of getting to that stage - i.e reminders, summons, staff time.

animal_lover · 31st July 2008, 16:15

I'm confused now. Am I allowed to claim it back or not

Thanks

animal_lover · 7th August 2008, 15:53

bump - anyone

Conniff · 8th August 2008, 00:28

Sorry al - although it is a penalty charge, it is not classed the same as bank charges and you will not be able to claim it back. This is an admin charge they add.

Why I say it is a penalty charge is because different councils add on different amounts, some add as much as £135 and others as low as £40, so it has to be a penalty.

In 2007 councils in England made £200,000,000 from these 'penalty' charges.

They now count liability orders as part of their income that is why they don't try very hard to get the tax from anyone, just one reminder and then court. They actually want people to default. (my opinion)

animal_lover · 8th August 2008, 03:03

Do you think it would be worth asking anyway and not in a reclaiming way just say writing a letter kindly asking if they would consider removing it as i know my Rent officer is doing the same for my Rent court cost once i get my arrears down.

as once my backdate for council tax benefit is sorted having that taken off i could pay the rest in one and then it's sorted.

But i suppose with the luck i'm having lately i might aswell not bother

animal_lover · 10th August 2008, 19:15

Bump- anyone

animal_lover · 18th August 2008, 02:53

Bump - Anyone please

animal_lover · 21st August 2008, 21:30

Conniff · 21st August 2008, 21:41

al are you on any benefits? if you are then that would help your cause.

They will claim as ss points out above that it is admin charges.

Write asking them if they will justify the £71 added to the liability order and that you know the actual cost of the order is £3.

Tell them if they cannot justify the amount, will they please refund it as non justification will mean it is a penalty charge.

animal_lover · 21st August 2008, 21:51

Thanks i'll try that, i'm just in the process of sorting out Housing and Council Tax benefit but i still owe on last years and i'm told that it would go onto this years. so i'm really struggling with it

animal_lover · 2nd September 2008, 03:19

Hi can anyone help me with my letter i'm not sure what to put, this is what i have so far.

Dear Sir/Madam
RE:
I’m writing regarding the cost of the Liability Orders put on both my Council Tax bills.
Please can you justify the £71.00 and £73.00 added to the Liability Orders as I know the true cost is actually £3.00.
If you cannot justify the amounts then please refund them to both to my account as non justification.
I’ve currently got a claim in for Housing and Council Tax Benefit and I’ve also requested a backdate to help me get back on track with my arrears and last years bill. I’m just waiting to receive some information before I can send it in.
Yours faithfully

animal_lover · Yesterday, 22:34

Anyone. I want to post it tomorrow.

Thanks

CAG Products - We think that these will help you to make your claim or Reclaim your Right These sales also help us to keep helping YOU and keeps this site free of third party adverts!

Small Claims Kit	Small Claims Court Guide	CallBurner - Skype CallRecorder Review	Last Will & Testament Kit	Fight a Motoring Ticket

Alternatively you could purchase a CAG email address here, or maybe you'd prefer our address labels here.
UPDATE: Consumer Forums ConsumerWiki is now LIVE - click here: ConsumerWiki N.B. Please note - due to postage costs these products are only available in the U.K.