Partners debts. Do they effect me?

A question about : Partners debts. Do they effect me?

My partner has not been paying the council tax for a year. There are now letters from Bristow and sutor dropping through the door amongst others. Can I ask a few questions.

I transfer Ј300 apx each month into my partners account. Ј200 for half the rent, Ј50 for half the council tax and the rest is made up of half the cat food and some of the water bill I pay as she also failed to pay that for well over a year, ignored the letters, ignored 2 CC summonses and obviously had those found in favour of United utilities. So I paid that Ј700 off. She has been pocketing the money for the council tax. Needless to say im fuming but she buries her head in the sand and seems to not care about the effect it has on me....
I pay for ALL the electric (she pays gas as we only have gas CH), I pay for the car, the phone, internet, insurance (house and pet). I buy EVERYTHING for the house of value, TV, computers, my games console, plus all my other toys (several thousand pounds worth).
Now, as this is a council tax issues, the ramifications are much more serious but she doesn't seem to comprehend this. So, being the cynic I am, I fully expect her to not pay and to ignore the letters. IF the bailiffs arrive, can they take MY stuff. ie the TV, MY car, MY telescope etc etc... I have receipts for most of them but am considering moving all my expensive stuff out. I detest living like this. I have my own debts (bank loan for car), a small ish credit card bill but that's it. I DONT have people chasing me for them as I service them and live within my means, its tight but I manage. Its making me worry as (if im right) I stand to loose almost ALL my stuff to pay of the 10k she owes.... What are MY rights.. Any info appreciated...

Best answers:

• As I understand it, you're both jointly and severally liable for the council tax, as you live there as a couple. Unfortunately, you giving money to your partner does not stop you from being responsible to ensure it is paid.
  So yes, the council tax bill/arrears probably will affect you.
• Are you registered as living at the address? Do you vote from there? Are the Council Tax bills in both names? Do you have another house you live at?
  I think to be honest that Council Tax is one of those bills they can chase you for all of. Sorry.
• You need to check to see if you've been named as jointly liable on the demand notice or not - if you where then you will have been summonsed and be jointly liable on the liability order.
• For reasons not relavent, the council tax bill is in her name only, however, we pay full council tax, that is to say there is no single occupancy discount. . The debt is in her name and only she is named on the letters from the DCA.
  It is a sad state of affairs this but I cant afford to move out so am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Most of the problem is that she is in denial and thinks by screaming and burying her head in the sand, it will magically go away. If she would talk to me I could help (don't know how really) but doing something is surely better than doing nothing, knowing that every other letter is from a DCA. None to me, but I am directly affected. In fact I feel like its ME that's at fault....
  Opinion please... I get on really well with her parents, I don't think they are aware of her situation. Should I tell them that their daughter is getting deeper and deeper into debt and I do my fair share of paying bills and she needs to grow up and get a grip. Im not exactly good with money myself BUT I do understand that bills must be paid, albeit late occasionally.
• And yes, I have stopped giving her money but I know the row that looms on the horizon when she asks me for it and I tell her now that the bills will be split 50/50 and I will be dealing with them...
• You have told us regarding the same problem more than two years in the past and she has not changed in this time. I ask why are you still there and if you really are wanting to leave, why not to sell your thousands of pounds of toys?
• Good question. Find myself asking the same thing but why should I have to suffer for her inability to control her finances.
• Do you earn roughly the same? You seem to have a lot of luxury spending money- does she have the same amount? Do you put financial demands on her that she cant afford (lets just go out tonight etc)
  This doesn't sound like a partnership. You come across as quite controlling.
  Yes she should have paid the bills but maybe she couldnt afford to?
  If you can share a bed and a house you can share a bank account. Why not make all money joint? or if you cant be that open pay a FAIR proportion (based on salary and essential outgoings such as travel) each into a joint account.
• Either way, you NEED to get this council tax bill sorted - it can lead to court, attachments of earnings, and possibly prison.
  Does she know this?
  I would suggest getting in touch with the relevant council and asking if they can take the debt back from the bailiffs, then agreeing and sticking to a payment plan.
  Not sure what to advise re: her parents...
  Best of luck to both of you.
  HBS x
• Hi cornz
  The bailiffs can only pursue those people named on the liability order - and their belongings. They cannot force entry to the property so you should not end up in a position where you are having to prove your ownership of the telescope, consoles etc etc. As for the car, your ownership of it should be easy enough to prove if and when bailiffs visit.
  It's not clear why the council have not also named you on the bill and subsequent liability order. They would normally ask for details of adults living at the address on an annual basis, and it is a legal requirement to respond. They could in theory end up seeking a separate liability order against you for the same debt.
  In the meantime though I would recommend working out a payment offer and starting to make said payments towards the bailiffs ASAP - better to get them off your case first, then address matters with your partner later.
  It's not the simplest situation as it doesn't sound as if the two of you are pulling in the same direction right now. That seems to me to be the most important thing to put right before anything else can be achieved.
  One question: in your original post you refer to
  Quote:
• You'll need to start paying council direct. You should be on the bill so you will be liable for the whole lot.
• Just wondering, is there anything to suggest she's been spending this money on other things for herself, or using it for household items because her budget doesn't stretch far enough.
  It sounds like you need to sit down and discuss paying the bills in a different way, if she's simply not good at doing this, have her transfer funds to you and you manage them. Not everyone sees money in the same way and some people are simply not very good at prioritising payments.
• As suggested above maybe you should switch things around. Ask her to transfer Јx amount to you every month and you manage the bills.
  Have you both ever sat down with statements and calculated exactly what is half of the overall household expenditure. Is the amount you transfer plus the bills you pay equaling half? (Estimating is no good) If your OH only has to manage her own monthly spends, she may find it a relief and a weight off her shoulders.
  I hope you can have a long, calm talk and get a plan together to tackle things as a couple.
  All the best for the challenge ahead
  DB
• Do her a favour and move out.