Recovering debts

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has a Debt Management Policy.

We have a duty to recover outstanding debts and in doing so ensures that our processes are fair to everyone, particularly in the current economic climate.

A corporate debt management policy will ensure:

• we minimise debt and maximise rates of collection
• we are consistent in our approach
• we assist customers who experience financial difficulty

This policy applies to all sums owing to the council and has been developed to ensure a consistent approach to the management of debts across the council.

The main types of debt are:

• Council Tax
• Housing Benefit overpayments
  when benefit is paid that the claimant is not entitled to
• General income
  fees and charges made for a wide range of council services such as adult social care.
  General income also includes loan repayments and salary overpayments
• Business Rates
• Rent for council properties
  including houses and flats, garages and commercial property

Council's Debt Management Policy (PDF, 301.16 KB)