Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
Friend recently in hospital from end March to last week - problems with liver and health in general but not relevent to question so to carry on - got home from hospital to a letter for 2 Council Tax installments being late - April & May - letter dated end of April and giving 7 days from date to rectify arrears.
This week - tuesday - friend went to post office and paid off arrears and intended to pay June amount next week when paid.
Yesterday friend received a summons in the post to appear before local court on June 10th for non payment and summons demands full amount of this years CT plus costs if found against them.
Any advice I can give friend and suggestions on how it can be got back on track now friend out of hospital and able to pay monthly installments again? Only thing I can think of was telling friend off for not getting me to make payments for them.
The summons is only to establish if your friend is liable for the tax or not. As it appears she is a liable council tax payer, then there is no point at all in going to court.
When the liability order is granted, she/he should contact the council who will come to a payment arrangement to clear the arrears.
Many thanks for the advice, I will get on the phone in the morning and let my friend know the situation.
I know it will take a load of weight off their mind, they told me they thought that this court paperwork would lead to a bailiff turning up and taking the tv and anything else of any value in the property.
The bailiffs will only be called in if your friend fails to keep to the arrangement she has agreed with the council.
The bailiffs have to give you 14 days notice before they call. If your friend should get to that stage, then come back and we will help some more, but do that before the bailiff calls.
Council Tax Question
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