A MUM has told how she suffered through FOUR nervous breakdowns after she was hit with a £13,000 council tax bill.
Sylvie Denne, 56, was visited by bailiffs three years ago who demanded she fork up £2,500 for council tax arrears.
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Her daughter took out a loan to pay off the bill – but in August 2021 they found out the bill was actually much larger.
Sylvie claims she was handed a letter demanding £13,000 in arrears for her London home since she moved there in 2008 because the council “hadn’t taken the right amount”.
Since then Sylvie has, who is on University Credit, asked to pay off £200 a month on top of her £150 council tax bill – but she says Croydon Council demanded she pay £360.
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But last week a court summons came through the door saying she has £7,000 of debt but had failed to pay her council tax for a year.
The shock bills have had a huge impact on Slyvie’s mental health.
She told MyLondon: “I nearly had a nervous breakdown. My question is why did they let the debt get so large before they informed me, they just dropped it on the doorstep out of the blue.
“We are living hand to mouth. I am very unwell, I have eight physical disabilities and psychological problems.
“I need to eat properly but I can’t afford to because I am paying it all out in debts.”
Her daughter Rachael is now worried about her mum who can’t afford to pay £510 a month to the Croydon enforcement team.
She said: “It’s the kind of situation where we have to make do with what we have.
“I have noticed I have been putting on weight but but I can’t eat properly because of the cost of it.”
Rachael worries that the problem could also be happening to other unsuspecting people.
She added: “I do not understand how the incompetence levels have let it get up to what it is.
“If she has £20 to put on the electric and £20 in her purse, she will take £10 aside to put it on the council tax just so she will not have the stress of someone knocking on her door.
“She won’t even open her letters because she’s scared of the council. Their communication levels are ridiculous. I don’t know what people are doing there but they aren’t doing their job properly. They are the ones f**king it up.”
In a statement, a Croydon council spokesperson said: “We understand the pressure that debt can place on people and should residents fall into arrears, we work with them to agree clear and manageable payments, based on their circumstances.
“Our team will be in touch shortly to reach an agreement that works for all parties, making sure any next steps are clearly set out for those involved. If appropriate, we can also refer residents to independent debt advice services for further help and support.”
