hi would it be possible to do the above ,my council waited thirteen years they never contacted us then when they did i was 14000pounds in arrears i know i have a responsibility ti pay but surely they have a responsibility to they have now made me bankrupt and i think this is unfair what do you think
2007-10-02 07:36:11 · 8 answers · asked by swglover2000 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United Kingdom
No you can't sue the council for the benefit they have given you through their own stupidity!
There is a statue of limitations which means most debts cannot be pursued after 6 years - this doesn't fully apply to council tax, the Council must get an court order to obtain the money due over 6 years. If you can successfully defend your case then you won't have to pay.
Perhaps it might be easier to approach the council and offer 6 years worth of money - saves them the trouble of going into court and admitting they can't do their job properly in the first place - especially if you get the local sympathetic press involved.
2007-10-02 07:54:29 · answer #1 · answered by Luke Warnes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did I miss something?
You were living in the house for 13 years and knew you had a responsibility for paying the council tax. Why didn't you contact themat some point during that 13 years? You could have at least found out how much you should have been paying and then you could have put that into a savings account each month until they came knocking. You'd have had the money then.
You are responsible for your own actions (or lack of) so you won't be able to sue the council.
2007-10-02 07:49:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From experience, its amazing how many people never get a bill or reminder but suddenly get the mail when legal action is taken ....
With 13yrs or so outstanding they would have issued at least 13 bills , 13 reminders and potentially 13 summons and 13 liability orders - so you must have got some of them unless your one of those people who ups and leaves a property they own and doesn't give a forwarding address.
On the plus side, once the bankruptcy estate is sorted, the £14K will be cleared from your record.
2007-10-02 18:28:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how many times you were informed that you needed to pay in mittigation.
Are you saying you owe £14,000, in which case they surely would have sent lots of reminders and even knocked your door to get the money from you.
Council tax is the only bill you can go to prison for the non payment of, and you must have known you should have payed it, so how is it their fault?
You might be able to go to prison for a month or so and not pay a thing when you are released.
2007-10-02 07:41:04 · answer #4 · answered by My name's MUD 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is the tenant/homeowners responsibilty to inform the Council that they are in residence at the property, may be this is why you have only just received the bill. In any case there is nothing you can do. Just be grateful you have been made bankrupt and not sent to prison!
2007-10-03 07:15:26 · answer #5 · answered by Dimples 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Appeal the bankruptcy order and ask the Court if you can repay the arrears over the next 13 years.
2007-10-02 07:41:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may argue that you should have known that you would have to pay council tax and so you should have contacted them to enquire about why you hadnt received a bill in 13 years. Pleading ignorance is rarely accepted as a defence in ENglish law.
WHy dont they try and make an arrangement for you to pay it off?
In any case i wish you luck - not fair to charge you 13 years in one go.
2007-10-02 07:44:06 · answer #7 · answered by Chimera's Song 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All householders or tenants have an obligation to pay council tax annually. You owe the council tax payers in your area interest on unpaid monies.
2007-10-02 08:45:05 · answer #8 · answered by BRIAN S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋