Council tax arrears going back over last 20 years

[LilaUK]

My dad owns several properties in Edinburgh adn the council has hit him with arrears of first 20,000, then another 50,000 and now another 80,000. They claim this is for properties that were either vacant or occupied by various tenants who they refuse to chase for the concil tax. This spans over the last 20years!!! The council also owes over 100,000 in unpaid rent. However, they are refusing to even discuss the situation. They have started bankruptcy proceedings and so my dad cannot get a loan from anywhere in order to pay off the demands. The court has given him 6weeks to sort it with the council or pay up. The council are refusing to discuss it as they have "made their decision". A stand they have taken since teh very beginning.

Can anyone recommend a lawyer? We have looked but most are refusign to take the case? Or can anyone recommend another course of action?

We cannot even sell the properties at this point aas they are in need of repair since many of them were destroyed by previous tenants who the Council never paid rent for!!! A vicious circle and we are desperately trying to get out of it.

PLEASE HELP!!!

Thank you!

[BoSBoY]

Who is responsible for paying the bill?

There's one Council Tax bill for each home. Usually the person living in the property has to pay the bill. Spouses and partners who live together are both responsible for paying the bill.
The person at the top or nearest to the top of the following list has to pay the bill:
• lives in the property and owns it
• lives in the property and has a lease (this includes 'assured tenants' under the Housing Act 198
• lives in the property and is a 'statutory' or 'secure' tenant
• lives in the property and isn't a tenant but has permission to live there
• lives in the property (for example a squatter)
• has a lease of six months or more on the property, but doesn't live there
• owns the property but doesn't live there
You can't be responsible for paying the bill if you're under age 18.
If you're still unsure about who is responsible for paying the bill, you can contact your local council and they'll be able to help.

When a property is empty

If a property is empty, the person normally responsible for paying may qualify for exemption or a discount. You can find more information about discounts and exemptions in sections 10 to 13 of the leaflet 'Council Tax - a guide to your bill' (you'll find this in the 'More useful links' section below).
The links below will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local council’s website where you can find out more or apply online.


so your dads main q's to the council should be.. WHY will you not chase the tenants?, and have you applied the discount to the empty homes?

the line i like is "The person at the top or nearest to the top of the following list has to pay the bill:" even squatters come before you dad..

(direct gov link) Council Tax - who pays and how much : Directgov - Home and community

[LilaUK]

Thanks Bosboy.

We have asked them these questions! They refuse to listen. In fact now they wont even agree to meet with him.

Can they go as far back as 20years???

Isnt there a statute of limitation??

And that link is for ENGLAND. Not Scotland. Is it the same in Scotland?

[bathgatebuyer]

I have a feeling that tax is the one thing which is exempt from any sort of limitation.