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What to do if you have problems paying Council Tax

If you owe council tax, you are not alone. In 2018: 2.2 million people had council tax arrears; council tax debts were the most common type of problem debt that Citizens Advice saw. And in April 2019, the average council tax bill increase was 4.5% - well ahead of most people's pay rises - so this year is likely to be even more difficult for many people. It's a "priority debt" Council … [Read more...]

April 29, 2019 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: council tax, Priority debts

Adding Liability Orders to credit records – a bad idea!

County Court Judgments (CCJs) are added to people's credit records, so why shouldn't the same be done for Liability Orders (LOs) for council tax arrears? This is a really bad idea, involving major problems and costs for local authorities and magistrates courts. These would massively outweigh the potential benefits. Magistrates Court Liability Order processes are not comparable to County Court … [Read more...]

September 6, 2018 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: council tax, Credit ratings

It’s time to stop sending people to prison for council tax debt

A new report called "I can't believe we still do that" produced by Payplan and the Institute of Money Advisers (IMA) looks at the imprisonment of people for council tax arrears in England and Wales. Councils started court action to send 4,881 to prison in 2016-17. Their average debt was only £2,213. UPDATE: In April 2019 the Welsh government ended imprisonment for council tax debt.  This … [Read more...]

December 5, 2017 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: council tax, Priority debts

Councils sent 2.3 million debts to bailiffs in 2016/7

Councils are using bailiffs more frequently to collect council tax arrears, parking tickets and other debts. Money Advice Trust has collected figures from councils across the country that show: councils referred 2.3 million debts to bailiffs in 2016/7 this is an increase of 14% on 2 years ago and c. 30% on 4 years ago. You can see individual council details using the map … [Read more...]

November 14, 2017 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Bailiffs, council tax, General news & policy, Priority debts

Using bankruptcy to collect council tax arrears

More councils are using bankruptcy and charging orders as a method for collecting council tax arrears according to research by accountancy firm Moore Stephens. In 2013/14, 32% of councils used bankruptcy for some council tax debts - a sharp increase from 20% in 2009/10. It is estimated that councils petitioned to make 1,100 people bankrupt in 2013/14 because of council tax debts. But is … [Read more...]

July 3, 2015 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: council tax, General news & policy

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Latest news round-up:  January 17th

  • Is Amigo allowed to delay paying refunds? Does it have a DISP waiver?
  • Lessons from Amigo – FOS complaint handling needs to be faster
  • Amigo’s Scheme – who’s next? Implications for the bad credit market

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