Cant Pay Council Tax .costs Keep Rising

[sweets-on-the-move]

this year first time struggled to pay council tax .north east lincs council shown no real intrest in resolving the matter with me . have wrote to them and asked them to help but every letter has been ignored not even a reply .all i get is letters dated 10 days late arriving at my home with futher costs on them .yesterday got a letter from them dated 28th may 2008 saying the bailliffs are on there way .

i have applied for help from council tax benefit but i need to get my books into them as im self employed all other info they require they have got. council tax people knew this is what i was doing. it seems the council are tying lead weights to our shoes and seeing us sink deeper with costs .no help at all just cold solid ignorence .yes same council that lost 7million in lansbanki fiasco . any advice please ......

[Guest liamgee]

You didn't mention it but and because there is mention of bailiffs going to your house I assume this has already been to court.

 

I would always advise when in trouble with council tax is to attend the court date and plead your case regard your financial status. The courts will take this into account and will make in most cases a fair judgement. I would also advise you that often when you attend the courts a representative from the council will try dirty tricks to dissuade you from attending. What ever you do go into the court. DO NOT accept that the case for example has been adjourned unless you hear it from official court employees yourself and verify they are official court employees.

 

If your case as it sounds is beyond this did you receive the court papers if not go back get the judgment set aside the case will be heard again and make sure you attend. Bare in mind these papers are rarely sent signed for ;-).

 

I would book an appointment with the CAB if you need some reassurance.

[farmlama]

i was on statutory maternity pay in 07/08 and had no help with council tax or rent, my income was £450p/m with rnt at £300p/m and council tax at £100p/m plus other bills and a new baby to pay for. I wouldnt have survived without tax credits. The council dont want to help you unless your a benifit bum who doesnt bother to go out and earn your own money.

[sweets-on-the-move]

yes fed up there ok when i was paying ok but aint no help know .yes liability order has been issued i was told by council only come to court if ur disputing liability .if ur not dont waste ur time by attending .need to know what right these bailiffs have ...

[buzby]

The Bailiffs have full right of entry and to take goods within the household for sale, but NOT any tools you have for trade/work or your bed. Anything else is fair game.

 

Councils get automatic right to add additional amounts, and their request for judgement are done automatically, they do not have a formal hearing that you can attend unless you are disputing their right to collect (a very difficult challenge).