Council tax that i can't pay fully

[sus1985]

Hi, I just moved into my first ever proprty. it is from a housing assicioation that we waited a very long time for. I infromed the council stragiht away that i had moved in and wanted to pay but they said i had to be sent a bill first. This took over a month to which they made 7 months of council tax to be paid over 4 months which i did not excpect. Unforuantley i forgot about i and chased them for the bill but now they want payments each month that i cannot afford. i informed them immediatly and they have let me pay it over 5 months instead but this is still over my budget. i am short by £50.00 a month. they just keep telling me i have to pay and that its a priorty over all other debts. i dont have debts but also i have to pay rent electric water gas petrol for work and food without these also i can not survice to pay the council tax but they wont help me resolve the situation. they just tell me i will be taken to court and 65 will be added on top plus more. what can i do i am not entitled to help from the goverment but i dont know how this can be resolved. i know i need to pay it but i need a few months longer but i dont think they will accept this.

[factor-fiction]

I think the council will argue that you could have been putting money aside initially and that council tax normally has to be paid up front or an agreed monthly basis. Will you be able to afford it next year or is it likely to be an ongoing problem? Anyway, propose a repayments basis that you can afford and is close to what they want

[chelle7272]

Write to them with your income and outgoings clearly showing what you can afford to pay toward it, as close to what they are asking as you can.

[HowardKennitby]

Have you checked whether you qualify for Housing Benefit?

[pastafreak]

...or Council Tax benefit?

[Memore]

I think you should pay what you can and write them a letter stating that you cant pay more - I would think they are unlikely to take you to court if you are paying them - but you should start paying the problem is if you are still paying last year's bill when the new year bill comes you are doubling up and that's worse. I had trouble when I bought my house 6 years ago the Council said they were going to sue me for not paying even though they sent me an incorrect bill and after 3 months it still had the wrong name on it - it was a man's name but with my surname (i'm female) - they said my solicitor gave them the name so it must be right! I argued that I wouldn't pay a bill for someone who doesn't exist and it would be fun for them to sue someone who doesn't exist! They told me they wouldn't have sued anyway as I had been in contact and it was an error on their part - they told me that they put that in all of the letters when the bill isn't paid - that is Greenwich council in London.

[sus1985]

i will be able to afford the payment next year as they will be £80 less. i wanted to pay what i could as between dec and mar i get the oppurtinity to do over time therefore i will make sure my account is up to date by the end of the finacial year but i dont know if they will just start court procceding when my first instulment is less. hopefully they agree to this as this will be the only way i can do this. i have request housing benefit as i am entttiled to it but i think only £3 and i am not joking but every penny helps. i am not allowed counicl tax benefit. i have email to ask and then i will phone and speak to someone hopefully it works