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We've have an outstanding bill from 2003, for which we had an agreement to pay Bristol City Council, which we were maintaining. In December we moved into a new flat and therefore incurred CT for the remainder of the current year.
In January my husband went off work after surgery so we were unable to make a few payments. I wrote to the Council to ask if we could renegoiate our payment plan to include the current tax year as well. The letter we had back stated
"Due to the extended period of time for the proposed payment of the debts currently outstanding, this office will take recovery action concerning the debt now due for 2007/2008 if it is not paid in full.
However, this office is willing to accept your proposal for payment at the rate of £40 from April 2008, with the payment of £29 in March 2008."
We assumed from this that our proposal covered both current and old debts and sent our March payment accordingly. It didn't reach them and we were concerned because we had the standard you owe us ..... letter that said the next step was to take us to court.
So we emailed them and received a reply several days later. The reply says that the summons is for the current year and that the arrangement only applied to our old address. It also states that they have now put the old outstanding balance in the hands of a Baliff (rossendales - I've not heard good things about them from this forum).
We beleive that their previous letter covered both outstanding balances. The summons court date is 28th April (Monday) - we know it' not a CCJ, but can we ask the court to suspend any action?
We propose to write to the Council again and state the part in their previous letter which agreed to the payment plan - does anyone think this is a good idea.
I've been reading threads concerning baliffs and how not to let them in or sign anything, i'm going to follow this advice. Does anyone know how long it takes for baliffs to respond to letters from the council regarding claiming council tax?
I am bumping this for you in the hope someone responds.
I haven't had this experience but I would take copies of the letters you sent to the council and any proof of payments you've made or tried to make. Have you done an income / expenditure sheet to show what you can afford to repay?
I hope tomorrow goes ok.
Best wishes
I'm midway through the tunnel, but getting closer to the light.
Council Tax - advice sought
- I've not heard good things about them from this forum).
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Re: Council Tax - advice sought
