Ok I will try to keep this as straightforward as possible. In 2004 I was living in a property which I subsequently moved out of in 2006. Whilst living at the property I didn't pay Council Tax as I was under the impression it was covered within my tenancy agreement. In 2009, I was sent Council Tax demand for the previous address. I contacted the council explained the circumstances, and told them to confirm what I had told them with the letting agent. I didn't hear any more from them until 1st December 2014 when I received bills covering the time I was at the property. I rang them and asked them for a copy of the account and any liability orders. I received a letter stating that a liability order was issued on the 10th November 2008 which they sent me on the 13th December minus the actual Liability Order documents I contacted them again on the 19th December stating that at the time of living at the property it was a single occupancy and could they amend the amount owed to take this into consideration and I would pay the full balance immediately. They finally contacted me back on the 6th January stating that I would need to prove I was the sole occupant in order to obtain the discount. I emailed them back the same day requesting information on how I could prove this and pointed out that their own records confirm I was the sole occupant. To date I have not got a reply from them. Today I have received a text message for Equita asking me to call them. Realising that Bexley Council were not going to reply and had passed the debt to Equita (I googled the name and reaslised who they were) I went on to the councils website and paid the full outstanding balance. I rang Equita to let them know that I had settled the full amount and they informed me that I owe them £75 for each of the Council tax bills passed to them for enforcement. I pointed out that they hadn't actually even written to me about the money owed and the member of staff said it didn't matter I still owed them. It was at this point he said he couldn't see the payment made to my council tax account and suggested I call them back tomorrow. At this stage I am just wondering where I stand with this as I cannot understand why the council have passed this to Equita given that the delay in making a payment has been as a result of them taking so long to give me the information to allow me to pay the amount I actually owe, rather than me refusing to pay.

Hi I'm a landlord with single tenant in a property. Just received first letter of collection from Equita Baliff even though I have told council I'm not liable, tenant is. As usual the incompetent council is making this mess. What are my rights if the Baliff turns up. I have till date not had any other notices or evn final demands for payment. Debt is for this tax year as well. Can someone suggest how I can stop this bloddy mess since they are driving me insane and I would not know what to do if collectors turned up, even though I'm 100% not liable. Many thanks for any advise.