Missed council tax payment and summons for non payment!?

Question

Wasn't 100% sure which category this should be in so bear with me!

I received a court summons at the weekend for non payment of council tax. It would appear speaking to them that I missed the april payment, due to an error on my part, which I accept. All other payments have been paid on time. The first I heard of this was the court summons. They say a non payment letter was sent in July. I never received this and they say I cannot have a copy!. £35 costs have been added and it would appear I have lost the right to monthly payments. I paid the missed payment over the phone this morning without a question. I missed the payment fair and square. I did say to them if I had received the original letter I would have sorted it there and then. Until the summons I had no idea I had missed a payment.

My quesion is should they have issued further communication before issuing a court summons. I thought, maybe wrongly, that a red letter had to be issued, and then a final demand, then the court summons. One simple mistake and I pay heavily plus £35 costs. Also can I insist on a copy of the letter for my records. They say they cannot do this.

Thanks in advance as I am not lying down and taking this if they are not following correct procedure when I make a simple, though stupid, error

Doethineb · Accepted Answer

You would be, as Kernow Lady says, well advised to get on the phone to the department concerned and speak to the person dealing with court hearings. He/she isn't going to want you turning up to court and telling people what a mess the Council is making of their administration. It should be possible to get it all sorted out over the phone (make sure you note the name), Otherwise, turn up to court and have a word with this individual face to face. A surprisingly high proportion of these cases are dealt with face to face before the court sits.

The Dentist · Answer

Hmm, that happened to me once. I argued and I think it made matters worse! I lost my right to continue the ten monthly payments, and they insisted on the whole lot that I still owed for the year. The council 'helpline' was very unhelpful indeed, and I actually gave in. However, it was the second warning I'd had in the year for being late with the payment, and the rules were that you only got to be late once, and they let you off, but twice was considered unacceptable. I now pay by direct debit, so I never miss since then.

Anyway, perhaps if you could phone them up and speak politely to them, they might let you off with a warning. You could maybe go to the citizens advice bureau, but I don't think they will be able to help much.

Tavy · Answer

It has happened to me in the West country. I like you had no idea I had missed a payment, received a summons, so paid up straight away. You need to write a strong letter to the Head of council Tax payments and demand that your monthly payments be reinstated. They seem to make up the rules as they go along.
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Missed council tax payment and summons for non payment!?

3 Answers