Whether you rent your home or have a mortgage, one of the biggest outgoings every month is council tax.
So what happens when disaster strikes and you miss a council tax payment? Every day Aunt Meg helps mums just like you to sort out your debt, whether it’s store cards, council tax or an unsecured loan.
Here’s a quick rundown on what to expect when you miss a council tax payment, and how Aunt Meg can help you fix it.
Council tax debt – When to worry
The problem with council tax debt is that it is considered a Priority Debt. That means that courts take any arrears in council tax payments to be a serious offence.
They invariably throw the full weight of the law against you, whatever your personal circumstances.
Council tax (or any utility bill come to that) involves paying out a large sum of money in one go.
If you miss a monthly payment, the next month you have to find twice as much. And it gets worse…much worse.
Knowing your rights about council tax and how the debt recovery scheme works means you know what to expect if/when the worst happens.
It also allows you to make a plan for getting back on track financially without incurring huge court fees and bailiffs costs.
Read on for more information from Aunt Meg.
What are Letters of Liability and Court Orders?
One missed payment is not a big deal…as long as you contact the council immediately and let them know when you will be making up the missed payment.
Failure to contact the council to discuss the problem may be tempting, but in the end it is likely to cause even more heartache and stress.
If you miss a second payment, the council has the right to withdraw the option for monthly repayments, and the whole amount of annual council tax becomes due immediately.
Ouch! If you are still unable to make up the missing payments immediately, you need to contact Aung Meg without delay.
Our specialist team can negotiate with the council on your behalf and perhaps get some more favourable terms for repaying the outstanding amount over a set period of time.
Councils are keen to collect payment as quickly as possible and they have strong powers of enforcement.
Those letters reminding you of your missed payment/s will quickly turn to threats of court action. When the case goes to court, a Liability Order is likely to be issued.
This is a legal demand for money and is usually followed up with a Compliance Notice from the Bailiffs or Enforcement Officers.
This gives you 7 days’ notice of a Bailiff’s visit.
They have the right to seize your car, goods and valuables and sell them to settle the debt.
It’s a frightening experience for anyone, and even more so if you have children in the house.
Unfortunately, someone has to pay the court costs and the bailiffs fees on top of the outstanding council tax debt – and that person is YOU.
Get help from Aunt Meg TODAY!
Before your council tax debt gets out of control, contact Aunt Meg for some kind words and legal advice on what to do next.
With one phone call we can stop the letters, threats and escalating interest as we help you work out an affordable repayment programme.
Give us a call as soon as you find yourself dealing with council tax debt. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help and the less stressful it will be.
Call Aunt Meg today.
