You can raise a dispute against summons or liability order costs due to council tax arrears if:
- you're liable for the account
- a summons or liability order has been issued
- you're raising a dispute under 'acceptable dispute criteria'
Raise a summons or liability order dispute
Acceptable dispute criteria
If your dispute doesn't meet one of the 'acceptable dispute criteria' it will not be considered, the criteria are:
- the outstanding balance has been paid
- the charge is incorrect
- you should not be held liable
- you didn't live in the property when you've been made liable
Outstanding balance has been paid
You can raise a dispute if you think you made payments and your account was up to date when a summons or liability order was issued.
To support your dispute provide proof of payments made, such as a copy of a bank statement or counter receipt.
Charge is incorrect
You can raise a dispute if you think a summons has been issued for an incorrect amount (for example if you should have received a discount or exemption during the chargeable period)
To support your dispute provide evidence of your application for a discount or exemption, at the appropriate time, before a summons was issued.
If you haven't already, make a separate application for a council tax discount or exemption; this may reduce the amount you're being held liable for.
You should not be held liable
You can raise a dispute if you believe that someone else should be liable to pay
To support your dispute provide evidence, such as your tenancy agreements.
A liable party may be:
- another occupant
- a landlord
- the property owner
You didn't live in the property when you've been made liable
You can raise a dispute if you weren't living at the address during the chargeable period, for example:
- you never moved in to the address
- you moved out on an earlier date
To support your dispute provide proof of occupancy, or tenancy start and end dates.
If you haven't already submit a change of address for council tax form.
Ongoing disputes about arrears
When a dispute is ongoing your account will be treated as normal. You should continue to make payments or further recovery action may occur if you fail to pay/get into further arrears.
Outcome of disputes about arrears
Not all disputes will lead to the cancellation of a summons or liability order.
When a dispute is not possible
If your circumstances don't meet the acceptable criteria, we may still be able to help you to manage your outstanding debt contact us to discuss your account and the possibility of setting up a Special Payment Arrangement.
Also see
Council Tax appointments
To get council tax advice in person at West Offices, you need to make an appointment.