Unpaid council tax £9 fees £500!!

Unpaid council tax £9 fees £500!!

14:11 PM, 3rd March 2015, About 9 years ago 12

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In December 2014 I received a large council tax bill for one of my rented properties. The bill was vague and it took phone calls to establish that my tenants never registered for Council Tax, after forwarding on the relevant tenancy agreements thought that was the end of it.

I have now received another two bills, one an amended council tax charge for the two empty days prior to my tenants moving in plus hefty fees, another from a collection agency working on behalf of the council with even heftier fees.

I’ve tried speaking to the council but they won’t budge, what I owe for the two empty days is under £9, with fees nearly £500, I’m told my goods can now be seized if I don’t pay. None of the letters ever received have been specific of what the council are chasing, I only know what I know by calling.

What are my rights here?

Stephenfees


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Comments

David Asker

12:46 PM, 6th March 2015, About 9 years ago

As already stated, my stance would be to appeal to the Council to take the debt back in house and disinstruct the bailiffs. They may have to pay the bailiffs their fees but then they should have been sensible in their approach.

In my opinion it is completely unreasonable to instruct bailiffs for £9.

If they don't play ball then yes, write to the Council CEO, your MP and the press.

Council's get enough flack and the costs in dealing with my last point and the bad PR from media attention is something they will not want.

David Asker

16:58 PM, 6th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Apologies, forgot to add that whilst it won't apply in this matter, for the sake of clarity there is a further 7.5% fee on the debt over £1,500 added on the first and second visits.

Therefore if the debt is £4,000 the first visit would be £235 and £187.50 (7.5% of £2,500) which is £422.50. A second visit would be £110 and £187.50 making £297.50.

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