Council Tax Arrears from 15 Years Ago Lead to Bailiff Action

A woman, caring for her sick newborn, expressed feeling overwhelmed (“can’t go on”) after a local authority initiated bailiff action to recover £700 in council tax arrears dating back 15 years. The individual, who chose to remain anonymous, stated she had no knowledge of an outstanding debt to Slough Borough Council for six months of council tax from 2009. She reported receiving correspondence from the council, followed by visits from bailiffs, starting in 2023. She indicated her willingness to settle the debt but explained her inability to do so while on maternity leave. A spokesperson for the council stated that a valuation tribunal had affirmed the outstanding amount. The spokesperson also encouraged residents experiencing financial difficulties to contact the council to collaborate on finding a resolution. The woman resided in Slough from 2004 to 2009, spending the majority of this period as a full-time student, which rendered her exempt from council tax obligations. During 2009, she lived in Slough with her current husband while expecting a child. Upon her husband’s temporary return to his native country, she relocated to Leicester to stay with her sister, though she was advised to maintain her maternity care in Slough. She stated that she provided this information to Slough Borough Council in 2009 and was instructed to complete a single person discount application. However, having been a full-time student and subsequently a resident in Leicester, she believed she was not liable for council tax in Slough. No further communication was received until 2023, when she obtained a letter from the council. “They said I owed over £1,000,” she recounted. “Within two weeks I started getting bailiffs,” she added. She described the bailiffs as “coming every single day” and the council as “writing to me constantly”. She contested the charge, necessitating proof of her period of study at the now-defunct Thames Valley University campus in Slough. Her appeal to a valuation tribunal resulted in a partial ruling in her favour, yet it determined she remained liable for tax between February and September 2009, during which time she was claiming a single person’s discount. Currently, Slough Borough Council states she owes £724, an amount the woman affirmed she would pay but was unable to manage while on maternity leave and caring for her sick son. She reported requesting a postponement from the council and submitted supporting evidence via email, which was reviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). However, the council insisted she complete a financial circumstances form and dispatched bailiffs to her residence once more. The woman stated, “I can’t keep going on like this.” She further explained, “I can’t fill it in – my son is in hospital, I am in hospital with him every day.” A council spokesperson commented: “Council tax notices were served during 2009 when the debt became due.” The spokesperson continued: “The dates of council tax liability from 1 February 2009 to 21 September 2009 were confirmed by the valuation tribunal in November and the liability order remains valid.” They also mentioned that residents are “encouraged to reach out to us to discuss their financial circumstances so we can work with them to find a solution to pay the outstanding debt”.