For the past seven years, Hammersmith & Fulham Council has been working to support residents who are struggling to pay their council tax bills.
Residents have been helped by our ethical approach to debt recovery and repayment plans – which is both empathetic and effective in collecting revenues.
"We've always believed that heavy-handed debt collection is counter-productive," said Cllr Rowan Ree, H&F Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform.
Avoiding bailiffs and court
We launched our ethical debt collection scheme in 2017 – with a brief to save public funds by relying much less on bailiffs, and helping residents avoid debt in the first place.
We also wanted to improve the treatment of those who owe debts to the council, as well as dramatically reducing the number of cases that end up in court.
Cllr Ree added: "Families that find themselves in debt often get into a downward spiral with their finances, with the stress of court action, bailiffs and lawyers all creating anxiety and avoidance.
"However, we have been determined to offer an ethical approach to debt management that both helps residents at risk of falling into debt and saves money for taxpayers at a time when budgets are tight."
So, if you're feeling the pressure of debt and behind on your council tax payments, please contact our team today.
We can design a tailor-made plan that will help you get out of debt and back on track with your finances. Please just get in touch.
Working with you means we can save money for local taxpayers – as it costs the council to chase people who do not pay and don't contact us for help.
As a result, we'd vastly prefer to help residents by identifying the benefits that people are entitled to. Or we can help point them in the direction of financial advice, so they are better able to pay their council tax in the future.
Treated like an adult – not a criminal
One local resident who benefitted from talking to our team to discuss a debt problem is Judy*.
Aged 56, Judy lives in Shepherds Bush and suffers from diabetes. She got in touch with our team after she had problems with her housing benefit payments, creating even greater stress on her finances.
"I had no money – no nothing. And problems with my housing benefits had pushed me into debt," Judy said.
"It was either eat, pay rent or pay the council tax. I just got to the point where I'd had enough. I wanted to be treated like an adult. Not a criminal. I was so sick.
"I felt really uncomfortable asking for H&F Council for help. I've worked all my life and never signed on before. It was all new to me. But they were fantastic. And helped me get back in control of my council tax debt and my finances – they helped me survive.
"I didn't know how to ask for help. But I hope I can encourage other people to ask when they need it."
Ethical debt policy
The consequences of poor debt collection practices have a negative effect on our council budgets, as well as those across the public sector. It can also be devastating to the wellbeing of families affected.
In addition, costs of temporary accommodation, increased demand on temporary housing, social services and education services, affects physical and mental healthcare – can all result from heavy-handed use of bailiffs, putting a strain on the public purse.
Our policy applies Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) standards to public debts, as well as private sector debts.
Cracking down on tax evaders
We need your council tax payments to fund essential local services. These include services such as libraries, bin and recycling collections and keeping our parks clean and green.
Council tax funding is also spent on maintaining our roads and pavements, as well as delivering services for people in need such as free school breakfasts and free home care for older residents.
We thank every resident who helps contribute to the costs of infrastructure and services in the borough by paying their bills on time.
For those who refuse to pay their council tax and haven't spoken to us about help with their finances, we have no other option other than to recoup this funding through legal means, if necessary. This includes the use of bailiffs. We have a duty to those taxpayers who are paying to pursue those that can pay but won't.
"We expect residents who can pay for their local services to do so," Cllr Ree said. "Calculatingly choosing not to pay tax, while receiving council services paid for by law abiding residents, is tax avoidance. It places a burden on neighbours who must either pay more or accept reduced services due to the lack of resources.
"Where a resident can pay, but tries to avoid doing so, we have a moral duty to pursue recovery through all means possible. This includes court action to seek attachment of earnings, use of enforcement agents or, charging orders.
"If you cannot pay due to whatever circumstances, please get in touch. We have a variety of ways we can help you get back on your feet."
'They were decent'
Another local resident who we helped get back on track with their finances is Steve*.
Aged 45, he lives in Fulham in one of our homes. He'd been homeless in the past and lived in temporary accommodation around London. He's currently out of work as a security guard after being made redundant. He is now waiting for knee surgery.
He contacted H&F Council after the Government mistakenly stopped his benefits payments for four months that he was entitled to.
"I knew I was having a problem with my finances," Steve said. "As soon as I got my first letter from the council saying I was behind, I got in touch with H&F.
"I didn't want to be chased and feel that anxiety. I'm very careful with money. By speaking to H&F, we reached an agreement on what I could afford to pay.
"The council listened to me and got to know my situation. And they could see that I should have been receiving benefits. They were decent. And it allowed me to establish some lines of trust between us. Now, I'm doing really well."
*Not their real name or details
