I phones the council four times yesterday and explained the situation to them. They are fully aware of the situation, and went as far as to admit that no letters were sent in my name regarding council tax (it was all in my landlords name until yesterday) They have told me that there’s nothing they can do to help me as it’s now in the hands of the bailiffs the bailiffs office have told me that I need to phone the council. I feel like I’m being passed from pillar to post and getting nowhere:(

thank you for your reply. I spent most of the day yesterday on the phone to the council and the court. The council were really uninterested I’m afraid, they told me that because it’s now in the hands of the bailiffs I have to deal with them. the courts were more helpful thankfully and explained things to me a little better. Apparently, even though it’s now at the ‘compliance’ stage, I should be able to fill in a means form from the bailiffs and set up a payment agreement. I asked the bailiff for a form but he flatly refused to give me one saying that time has passed I’ve never claimed any sort of benefits before, nor did I imagine I ever would, I’m a grafter, but unfortunately my circumstances mean that I can’t work, not that I won’t. And it’s all a bit complicated I will admit. I have got an appointment next week to see someone about council tax benefits that I can get help with or so I’m told. The last thing I want is this hanging over my head, I’m struggling enough trying to support my son and a house on a meagre amount of money. I don’t actually own much property, I walked away from my marriage with absolutely nothing. The only things of value really are my sons PS4 and his iPad, and obviously I don’t want them taking. The poor boy isn’t going to get a Christmas so the last thing I want is his stuff taking for a debt that clearly isn’t his. Im trying to do the right thing by paying off this debt but feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall.

Hi, and sorry if this is a long post, but I’ve found myself in a bit of a situation and I’m getting absolutely nowhere with anyone, so hoping someone might be able to give me some advice. I’ll try and keep it as short as possible. I moved into my private rented property last October, and the Landlord told me that council tax was included in my rent. I’ve never had a council tax bill, letter or anything for the last year, I just assumed what he told me was right and never worried about it. Two nights ago I got a knock on my door at almost 6pm. Answering it, I found a bailiff standing on the doorstep telling me that he was here to collect £1532 in full or remove my goods. To say it was a shock was an understatement. Had a short conversation with him, and it appears there has been no council tax paid for my property since November last year. I have apparently been taken to court in August (though I’ve never received any paperwork or summons etc) nor as I said have I ever received anything from the council in my name other than electoral roll forms. I told the bailiff the situation with regards to my landlord supposedly paying the council tax on the property, and he advised me to get in touch with him. It was all very polite. my landlord is currently out of the country and isn’t going to be back until after the new year, so obviously I can’t take the matter up with him just yet. I called the bailiff the following day, and his attitude had completely changed. He demanded I pay in full or he was and I quote “getting into my house and taking everything he could to pay my debt” he wouldn’t listen to me at all and treated me as if I was a second class citizen. I appreciate I may have been a little naive in believing my landlord, and now realise that it’s my responsibility to ensure the council tax was paid. But this is the first time I’ve had to deal with finances as my ex husband dealt with everything for the past twenty years. Stupidly naive I know. As I can’t get hold of my landlord, I thought it better to start paying off the debt now, rather than waiting to speak to him, so I asked the bailiff if we could set up a payment plan so I could start paying. He told me that yes, if I was willing to pay £367 a month he’d agree to a payment plan. I explained to him that due to my circumstances (ex husband fractured my skull so I’m no longer able to work) I am unfortunately in receipt of universal credits (I have worked every day of my life since I was 15) and I get the grand total of £317.12 a month for myself and my thirteen year old son, so I simply couldn’t afford to pay £367 a month. So he lowered his offer to £307 a month!! again I explained that it was simply impossible for me to pay that amount as it would leave us just £10 a month to live on. He told me that it was £307 a month or payment in full. Failing that he would get an arrest warrant due to failure to pay. I am wanting to start paying this debt off, but I am getting anywhere with anyone. Im classed by my doctor as a vulnerable person due to my mental health problems (I hit rock bottom a few years ago and attempted suicide due to the abuse from my ex husband) I suffer crippling depression, anxiety and frequent panic attacks, not to mention frequent blackouts due to the fractured skull. The bailiffs have been told I’m a vulnerable person, and have marked it on their file, but are still coming to my home daily, threatening me with arrest and removal of property. Im not trying avoid paying this debt, I want to get this sorted but no one will help. Any ideas on what I should do? Any advice would be appreciated. thank you, and again sorry for the long post