Other Accounts Collection Policy
The invoice you have received should clearly explain why it has been issued.
If it is not clear to you why the invoice has been issued or if you disagree with the invoice you have been sent, we can be contacted to discuss what you object to and why. You should write to the Debt Recovery Section in the Council's Main Office in Britannia House.
When you receive your invoice, if you think you will have difficulty paying it by the due date, we can be contacted to discuss an alternative arrangement for payment.
If you do not pay your invoice by the due date, or keep to any arrangement for payment you have made, we will send you a letter to remind you of the amount outstanding. Where payment is not received or you have not brought your payment arrangement up to date we may take action in the County Court to enforce payment of the debt.
We can still be contacted to discuss an arrangement for payment even at this stage. However we should be contacted as soon as possible after any letter you have received for non-payment
Taking court action
We may take action in the County Court to enforce payment of the debt if it is not paid or if you fail to keep an arrangement made.
If we need to make a claim in the County Court we will also make an application for costs which could range from £70.00 to £500.00.
If our claim is successful we can immediately take action to enforce payment of the outstanding amount plus any costs awarded.
How payment will be enforced
The main ways payment of the debt will be enforced are as follows:
- Bailiffs may be instructed to remove and sell your goods to the value of the outstanding debt and the costs awarded. The bailiff will give you the opportunity to make a satisfactory arrangement for payment before considering removing your goods. If bailiffs are instructed you will incur a significant amount of bailiff costs relating to the visits made by the bailiff.
- Attachment of earnings. If you are working the Court can require your employer to make deductions from your wage or salary until the debt is cleared. Your employer is also entitled to charge you for making this deduction from your wage or salary.
- Bankruptcy/Liquidation proceedings may be commenced.
- Deductions from DWP benefits may be requested in certain circumstances.
We can still be contacted to discuss an arrangement for payment even at this stage. However, we should be contacted as soon as possible after any letter you have received for non-payment.
Effect of a court judgement
Any County Court Judgement not paid in full within twenty-eight days of the date that the Judgement was entered will be retained on a nationally maintained register for a period of six years. This register is a public document which is available for inspection. Should your name appear on this register it will affect your credit rating and could significantly reduce your chances of obtaining credit in the future.
