Council Tax summonses frequently asked questions

I have received a summons and agree that I owe the Council Tax but I cannot afford to pay, what should I do?

Contact the Council Tax Office before the hearing to make an arrangement to pay.

I would like independent advice, who can l ask?

The Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) offer a debt counselling service and free legal advice. Contact details and opening times are available from the national CAB web site at http://www.nacab.org.uk/ and the local CAB web site at www.rcabs.org.uk

The Council did not deal with me properly, what should l do?

You should first call the Council Tax Office to discuss the problem. If you are not happy after this call, refer to the Council's complaint procedure page for further advice.

If you are still not satisfied you should contact your local councillor.

I do not think l owe the amount shown on the summons, what should I do?

There are two principal legal defences against the Council's application for a liability order.

• The sum has not been requested from you in accordance with the law. For example we did not send you a bill and a reminder before the summons.
• You do not owe any Council Tax for the period stated. For example you have paid in full or are not liable.

In any case if you do not agree that you owe the amount shown on the summons for any reason, call the Council Tax Office office before the hearing to discuss the matter.

Do I have to go to Court?

No, although you have the right to do so. You only need to go to Court if you disagree with the amount shown on the summons.

What do I do when l arrive at Court?

You should report to the usher who will show you into Court. Council officers will also be available to answer your queries.

If I tell the magistrates that I cannot afford to pay will they issue a liability order?

Yes. This is because they can only consider whether or not you owe the balance shown on the summons. If the Court is satisfied you do, the magistrates will grant a liability order.

Will this Court action affect my credit rating?

The law does not allow the Court or the Council to discuss this action with anybody else. A credit company could send a representative to the Court on the day of the hearing to copy the listing that is on public display. This is very unlikely as there could be up to 3,000 names on the court hearing list.