Renters hit by council tax arrears

Families forced to rent rather than buy are falling behind on their council tax.

The debt advice charity, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), says it recorded a 27 per cent jump in England last year in people asking for help with council tax arrears.

It says much of rise has been fuelled by the worsening financial position of families renting their homes. For the first time more renters then homeowners contacted the charity with council tax problems.

The numbers calling CCCS for help increased from13,353 in 2010 to 16,958 in 2011 - despite the fact that many English councils have frozen council tax.

The average amount owed in council tax arrears has also increased, from £675 to £717.

Council tax is a priority debt to deal with because there's a danger or bankruptcy or bailiffs being called in, so here's some official advice.

Plus pointers from...

Payplan and Citizens Advice