Council tax issue, summary warrant

[sgb1202]

Hi All,

 

Firstly I'm a legitimate council tax payer and I pay my CT by direct debit but I've just been hit with a summary warrant out of the blue by debt collectors for £300 + an £80 debt collectors penalty.

 

I've had no letters from the council or the debt collector about this ever and I'm very annoyed at this "penalty".

 

I've spoke to debt collector to ask what it was about but they told me to go the the council to dispute it. Spoke to council who said they've sent several letters but had no reply. I told them I'd never received anything from them but I was told it was tough and I'd have to pay the debt collector.

 

I pushed this further with the council and insisted on an explanation upon which I was told the letters probably had been sent to the wrong address.

 

I asked the council for an explanation and they sent me back copies of the reminders "they say" they'd been sending to my old address. I checked these reminders but amounts due were wrong plus the dates they're claiming I was due to pay, I was living elsewhere.

 

Another thing wrong is that the sum from the debt collector is totally different to what the council say I'm due.

 

When I checked my bank account I saw the regular payments were coming off regularly but when I checked back further I noticed several payments had not been taken off a year a go. I obviously assumed the direct debits were coming off on a regular basis.

 

The whole thing is a shambles, nothing adds up and the only response from the council is to pay the debt collector.

 

I've spoken with the debt collector and told them that I've written to the council and they've noted this on their system.

 

I am not trying to evade paying my council tax but I'd like some advice on what I can do about this. I dutifully registered and set up my direct debits but I've got lots of evidence showing this is a council error but I'm really angry about this penalty.

 

Surely I'm not liable for a penalty because of the council's mistake?

 

What can I do about this? I've had to take time off work to look into this and it's caused me immense stress and worry. Can I sue the council? Any advice would be a great help.

[IdaInFife]

Normally any council tax debts are passed to sheriff officers and not debt collectors.

 

 

Can you confirm who is collecting the debt?

 

Hvae you put in a formal dispute with details as to why you are disputing the debt to the council?

 

The only thing that can be added to the debt is a 10% surcharge, no more or no less and this should also be brought to the councils attention.

 

Ida x

[sgb1202]

Thanks IdaInFife,

 

I meant sherrifs - sorry don't know the difference. It's Scott & Co. The council told me that it's tough. It's passed to their hands and the sherriff Officers can add whatever charge they want.

 

I've only just got the stuff from the council today and thats where Ive discovered all the holes. I've been plowing through it all this evening and writing a letter to them.

[Coactum]

Sometimes it is best to go through your elected official rather than deal with the council minions. I suggest you gather all the details you have then find where your local councillor holds his surgery. Visit him/her and tell them about your dilemma. Take photocopies of all relevant information so that you can leave these with your councillor. I’m certain that he/she will help resolve.