What
to do if you have arrears:
Step 1 is to establish
how much you can afford on top of your normal
council tax payments in order to repay the
arrears. Draw up a detailed income and expenditure
form including repayments to your credit
cards and loans.
If you have any money
left after your other costs, step 2 is to
contact your local authority and make an
offer. Explain that the amount you are offering
will prevent any further arrears and court
costs. If your local authority will not negotiate
with you continue making the payments to
the authority (for further details on what
to do if your offer is refused see below).
What
to do if your offer of repayment is refused:
If your offer is refused
contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau
for help.
Some local authorities
insist arrears are paid before you resume
normal payments. If they refuse to accept
payments towards the current year until the
arrears are paid, then you should consider
making a complaint. Ask your local councillor
to help.
If this is unsatisfactory,
try the Local Government Ombudsman on 020
79153210, and argue that not allowing you
to make payments for the current year is
allowing further arrears to accumulate and
further court costs to be incurred. |
