Attachment of earnings order?!
Discussion
Hi, I need some advice. Just got home to find one of these in my post box, and of course its 6pm on friday evening so I'm gonna have to stew all weekend.
Long story cut short. Moved into new home 6 months ago, took a few months to sort out council tax, yup silly boy. They sent me a threatening letter saying pay up or else. They wanted 8 months worth of council tax payment up front (despite only having lived at the address for 3 months). I said we haven't got that sort of money sitting around so offered to pay by a few large instalments.
Fast forward to about a month ago and I'm starting to think these instalments are taking the piss, we're paid up to current date, why can't we just continue paying a normal monthly amount? So I phone the council and the girl on the phone says "your year ends next month so along as its all paid by then it's fine". Right, sorted, I thought.
About 2 weeks ago I get another letter saying 'you better pay another large instalment or we'll take action'. I thought that was odd considering what the girl said, but feck it I get pid in a couple of weeks, I'll pay it then.
I get home today and find a letter stating the magistrates court has issued an attachment of earnings order to my employer! WTF?! I'm so angry and confused considering:
a) Girl on phone said it's fine
b) They're chasing me for money that technically isn't due yet (Though they'll say it's an annual bill not a monthly one)
c) Why is this only in my name when my gf is also the home owner
d) why the F didn't I get any written correspondence, i.e. we're gonna do 'this'. Online searching says I'm supposed to have had a form from the court to fill in? I've had nothing!
Does this mean I now have a CCJ?
There is no other information provided, no phone number to call if I think this is incorrect etc.
I'm livid. Help please!
Long story cut short. Moved into new home 6 months ago, took a few months to sort out council tax, yup silly boy. They sent me a threatening letter saying pay up or else. They wanted 8 months worth of council tax payment up front (despite only having lived at the address for 3 months). I said we haven't got that sort of money sitting around so offered to pay by a few large instalments.
Fast forward to about a month ago and I'm starting to think these instalments are taking the piss, we're paid up to current date, why can't we just continue paying a normal monthly amount? So I phone the council and the girl on the phone says "your year ends next month so along as its all paid by then it's fine". Right, sorted, I thought.
About 2 weeks ago I get another letter saying 'you better pay another large instalment or we'll take action'. I thought that was odd considering what the girl said, but feck it I get pid in a couple of weeks, I'll pay it then.
I get home today and find a letter stating the magistrates court has issued an attachment of earnings order to my employer! WTF?! I'm so angry and confused considering:
a) Girl on phone said it's fine
b) They're chasing me for money that technically isn't due yet (Though they'll say it's an annual bill not a monthly one)
c) Why is this only in my name when my gf is also the home owner
d) why the F didn't I get any written correspondence, i.e. we're gonna do 'this'. Online searching says I'm supposed to have had a form from the court to fill in? I've had nothing!
Does this mean I now have a CCJ?
There is no other information provided, no phone number to call if I think this is incorrect etc.
I'm livid. Help please!
No point fighting councils, they will get you in the end.
If they really take a dislike to you they can have you put in prison. They particularly enjoy doing that to working people...destroys live shows you see. Teaches people not to mess with them.
They can not only have you put in prison but when you come out you still owe the money so they can either imprison you over and over again, or better still their favourite 'next level' sanction...they bankrupt you. And then after discharge you still owe the money as council tax is exempt from bankruptcies, so they get to do it again...and again...until you do as you're told.
They have unlimited funds to throw legal weight at you as well, because they are accountable to no one.
Just pay them, it's a lot easier.
If they really take a dislike to you they can have you put in prison. They particularly enjoy doing that to working people...destroys live shows you see. Teaches people not to mess with them.
They can not only have you put in prison but when you come out you still owe the money so they can either imprison you over and over again, or better still their favourite 'next level' sanction...they bankrupt you. And then after discharge you still owe the money as council tax is exempt from bankruptcies, so they get to do it again...and again...until you do as you're told.
They have unlimited funds to throw legal weight at you as well, because they are accountable to no one.
Just pay them, it's a lot easier.
cqueen said:
Lol one says chill, the other says I could go to prison.
I'm not trying to dodge payment (not to any great extent), my issue is they've used a sledgehammer to crack a nut. see my points above.
Councils are not normally vindictive, they'd prefer the money. Talk to them on Monday and get it explained. Don't stop until it is clear why they have acted, and if necessary, sorted it.I'm not trying to dodge payment (not to any great extent), my issue is they've used a sledgehammer to crack a nut. see my points above.
zarjaz1991 said:
No point fighting councils, they will get you in the end.
If they really take a dislike to you they can have you put in prison. They particularly enjoy doing that to working people...destroys live shows you see. Teaches people not to mess with them.
They can not only have you put in prison but when you come out you still owe the money so they can either imprison you over and over again, or better still their favourite 'next level' sanction...they bankrupt you. And then after discharge you still owe the money as council tax is exempt from bankruptcies, so they get to do it again...and again...until you do as you're told.
They have unlimited funds to throw legal weight at you as well, because they are accountable to no one.
Just pay them, it's a lot easier.
Sounds like you've had a long lunch. If they really take a dislike to you they can have you put in prison. They particularly enjoy doing that to working people...destroys live shows you see. Teaches people not to mess with them.
They can not only have you put in prison but when you come out you still owe the money so they can either imprison you over and over again, or better still their favourite 'next level' sanction...they bankrupt you. And then after discharge you still owe the money as council tax is exempt from bankruptcies, so they get to do it again...and again...until you do as you're told.
They have unlimited funds to throw legal weight at you as well, because they are accountable to no one.
Just pay them, it's a lot easier.
cqueen said:
Lol one says chill, the other says I could go to prison.
I'm not trying to dodge payment (not to any great extent), my issue is they've used a sledgehammer to crack a nut. see my points above.
Sorry but it does appear like you are trying to dodge payment.I'm not trying to dodge payment (not to any great extent), my issue is they've used a sledgehammer to crack a nut. see my points above.
Your 2016-17 liability should have been paid by now.
cqueen said:
b) They're chasing me for money that technically isn't due yet (Though they'll say it's an annual bill not a monthly one)
Council tax is paid over ten instalments although some councils can offer twelve. That means it's likely your council's ten months for the 16/17 year have passed so your annual bill is now overdue. Also, this is council.
Wacky Racer said:
No, you won't have a CCJ.
Chill out and sort it out with the council on Monday, they are usually very reasonable, unless you've really pissed them about.
Have a nice relaxing weekend....
Erm, I thought that attachment of earnings came post demands, legal letters and county court judgements and was the final option before sending in court bailiffs.Chill out and sort it out with the council on Monday, they are usually very reasonable, unless you've really pissed them about.
Have a nice relaxing weekend....
You don't get a ccj for council tax, you get a liability order.
Once that's granted they can do pretty much what they like with you, they can add whatever costs they or their bailiffs make up, and if you don't pay they lock you up. And if you still don't pay, they lock you up again and again until you do as you're told.
Once that's granted they can do pretty much what they like with you, they can add whatever costs they or their bailiffs make up, and if you don't pay they lock you up. And if you still don't pay, they lock you up again and again until you do as you're told.
zarjaz1991 said:
You don't get a ccj for council tax, you get a liability order.
Once that's granted they can do pretty much what they like with you, they can add whatever costs they or their bailiffs make up, and if you don't pay they lock you up. And if you still don't pay, they lock you up again and again until you do as you're told.
Still drinking? Once that's granted they can do pretty much what they like with you, they can add whatever costs they or their bailiffs make up, and if you don't pay they lock you up. And if you still don't pay, they lock you up again and again until you do as you're told.
eldar said:
Councils can't lock anybody up.
Random example from a quick search:Will I go to prison if you can't collect the money owed in any other way? - Thanet District Council
https://www.thanet.gov.uk › council-tax
If we have not been able to collect the money in any other way, the final option is to ask the magistrates court to issue a summons for you to attend a committal hearing. This means the council will ask the magistrates to consider sending you to prison for non payment of Council Tax.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
You're mad. Prisoners can't pay bills. He's only getting chased because he hasn't paid what he owes to the community.
And if he doesn't pay, they will have him sent to prison. And when he comes out, if he's still doesn't pay, they'll have him sent to prison again. And again. Until he learns. That's how it works.Edited by zarjaz1991 on Saturday 25th February 21:37
Seems like some PHers have no idea what life is like for people on the breadline.
If you're poor and can't pay - you go to prison. That's how it works. Poor people go to prison when they can't pay council tax debts.
Welcome to modern day Britain where the debtors prison has made a comeback.
If you're poor and can't pay - you go to prison. That's how it works. Poor people go to prison when they can't pay council tax debts.
Welcome to modern day Britain where the debtors prison has made a comeback.
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