14 Nov 2014
Peterborough office
48 Broadway, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE1 1YW
01733 346 333 01733 562 338 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukStamford office
10 Ironmonger Street, Stamford Lincolnshire, PE9 1PL
01780 752 066 01780 762 774 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukOakham office
66 South Street, Oakham Rutland, LE15 6BQ
01572 757 565 01572 720 555 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukMarket Deeping office
27a Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA
01778 230 120 01778 230 129 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk14 Nov 2014
Q. How do I stand legally with regard to withholding my council rates for a month if my rubbish bin is not collected?
A. Your responsibility for council tax is not contingent on the regular delivery of services. It is payable to the local authority irrespective of their failure to provide a service to your satisfaction. Payment of council tax should be a priority given the sanctions available to the council for non-payment.
If council tax due is not paid the council will send a reminder, then a second reminder, then a final notice; then they will issue a summons to obtain a liability order which provides the council with a number of powers including obtaining further financial information about the debtor, making an attachment of earnings order, using bailiffs to seize goods and the council can also apply to bankrupt the debtor.
If your bin is not being emptied on a regular basis then the council should and probably will arrange for an additional collection to take place at their earliest convenience.
