I’m not sure if this is even the way to go about this, but heck ill ask the question anyway!My partner recently received a letter in the post from a collections agency stating he owes over £4,000 in unpaid council tax debt. The problem is, he only lived in that property for a maximum of 6 months in 2005 yet they have charged him council tax over 3 years! The letter from the recovery agency was to the attention of himself and also the other person he used to live with at the time but the recovery agency is now saying because they found him, he is responsible for the full debt and have removed the 2nd parties name from the account.The collection agency says we have to contact the local council, while the council are saying the debt was brought by the collection agency and any discussions have to be done with them. We have offered to provide proof that he had left the property after 6months by way of utility bills and payslips to a new address - but the council and collection agency won’t accept this?He is happy to pay the council tax owing for the 6month period he was living there (though he was under the impression it was being paid at the time) but there is no way we can afford to accept this debt of over 4k. Is there any advice you can give me on how to get this sorted?

You need to go back to the Council and ask the following:

1 - How many Liability Orders are there

2 - How much is each one for

3 - what period of time does each one cover

4 - when was each one obtained

5 - how much is outstanding on each one

6 - when was each one passed on for enforcement.

The Council always own this debt and cannot sell it on. They can however pass it on for enforcement and I would imagine it will be a bailiff Company that has contacted you. You need to gather together the proof that you moved using alternative Council Tax bills in the correct name, tenancy agreements etc. The fact there was another living there at the time does not matter unless they can be traced - the Council/Bailiff can go after either. Please also be aware that if the Liability Orders were obtained within 6 years of being due they never become Statute Barred.

It may be better if you hit the little black triangle to the left and ask to be moved to the Bailiff Forum where you will get a raft of different replies. We can help you fight this and only pay what you owe.

In the meantime keep doors and windows firmly locked. If you have anything lying outside move it NOW and if you have a motor vehicle that is not on finance it should be moved well away from your home - a good 10 minute walk if possible. Bailiff hours are 6am - 9pm Mon - Sat, no enforcement allowed on Sundays. Do not believe anything they say and if avoidable never speak to them on the phone unless you can record the call. The Council are 100% responsible for the actions of their contractors.

PT