Address the statutory decision
Ask the council to consider a discretionary reduction rather than merely forwarding a payment offer.
Council tax hardship and reduction
Section 13A council-tax reduction during enforcement
Section 13A provides a route for a billing authority to reduce council tax in circumstances not already resolved by the ordinary discounts or reduction scheme.
Direct answer
Present the reduction request as a reasoned decision for the council, supported by income, expenditure, household circumstances and the event that created hardship.
Present the reduction request as a reasoned decision for the council, supported by income, expenditure, household circumstances and the event that created hardship. Separately ask what will happen to enforcement while the request is considered.
The Document, Date and Power Check
Work through the issue in a controlled order
Support the exceptional features
Show what makes the case different from ordinary arrears.
Keep enforcement communication separate
Confirm any hold, recall or payment arrangement in writing.
Before making contact
Prepare the documents that can change the analysis
A focused consultation works best when the evidence is complete enough to identify the document, date and power in dispute.
Council account
Identify the exact years, balance and recovery stage.
Financial evidence
Prepare income, essential expenditure, benefits, debts and household commitments.
Hardship explanation
Explain the event, duration and practical effect rather than relying on a general statement of difficulty.
Requested decision
State the reduction sought and ask how enforcement will be managed pending the decision.
Focused next step
Use the £35 bailiff consultation to identify the issue that matters
This issue can turn on one document, one date or one item of evidence. The consultation is designed to bring those points together rather than repeat generic bailiff information.
Submit the debt type, documents, dates, action already taken and the result you need.
Detailed issue checks
Open the points closest to your position
These related checks preserve the fuller practical content from the original Beat the Bailiffs website and place it within the current debt-specific route.
You want to ask the council to write off your council tax arrears
A council can consider a discretionary reduction under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. A strong request identifies the tax period, exceptional circumstances, other support considered, present affordability and the precise reduction sought.
Use the council's current application route and provide proportionate evidence. The application is more persuasive when it explains why ordinary recovery will not produce a fair or realistic result.
You need more time to pay the council tax arrears
Approach the creditor or court as well as the enforcement firm. State the balance accepted, any amount disputed, the payment that can be made now and the sustainable instalment supported by a short budget.
The thought-provoking question is whether the proposal addresses only the symptom or also the document that triggered enforcement. Get any pause or arrangement confirmed in writing.
Vulnerability or health circumstances may require a different approach
Explain the circumstance and its practical effect rather than using a label alone. State what makes communication, payment or a visit difficult, what immediate risk exists and what adjustment or pause is requested.
Provide concise and proportionate evidence. A useful request might ask for time to obtain advice, accessible communication, a specialist review, a court payment review or consideration of another recovery method.
Continue the document trail
Related guides
Complete debt stream
Return to the Council tax bailiffs hub
The hub contains the full searchable issue library and the wider enforcement process.
Official references
Check the current source
These links lead to legislation, court rules or government guidance relevant to this page.
Frequently asked questions
Important limits and next steps
What should I send for a focused review?
Send the complete enforcement document, a short date chronology, the fee or payment record and the evidence supporting the result you want.
Does raising this issue automatically stop enforcement?
No. A complaint, request or application does not necessarily suspend enforcement. Obtain written confirmation of any hold or court order.
Why does the debt type matter?
Council tax, Magistrates Court fines, High Court writs and traffic debts use different documents, powers and procedural routes.