A resident who refused to pay their council tax bill has had their home forcefully sold after racking up a debt of £36,000.

Gravesham council said after the recovered debt and legal costs from the proceeds of the sale of the Northfleet home the balance was handed back to the home’s former owners.

The local authority is now sending out a warning message to tax evaders as it seeks to pursue another 109 “high-value” cases, with the potential of recovering around £700,000.

Cabinet member for performance and administration, Cllr Narinderjit Singh Thandi, said: “Forcing the sale of someone’s home is always a last resort.

“However, in cases where an owner has resisted all other attempts by us to engage with them to recover what is owed, we will pursue this ultimate sanction – it is only fair on the majority of householders who pay their council tax that we do so.”

“We rely on council tax to pay for the vast majority of services we provide.

“Like many local authorities around the country, we face budget challenges, and every penny counts.”

Gravesham council says it only keeps around 11% of the total bill residents pay with the remainder going to Kent County Council, the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

If a resident owes unpaid council tax, the authority can apply for a liability order, and if granted, the council’s legal costs may be added to the amount owed.

Once granted, the council can ask an employer to deduct unpaid debts directly from the householder’s wages, apply to take money from benefits, appoint bailiffs to seize property, or even take them to court.

It can also apply for a charging order which gives the local authority security for the debt as it is secured like a mortgage on a property and, in extreme cases, can force the sale of the property.

Cllr Thandi said the council differentiated between those who cannot pay their bill and those who will not pay, saying it recognised that many families faced financial hardship.

He added: “I would encourage any one who is struggling to pay their bill to contact as soon as possible so we can investigate whether they are claiming all the benefits or discounts they are entitled to.

“Where it is clear that a council taxpayer can afford to pay but has chosen not to, then as demonstrated by this latest case, we will use all legal powers available to us to collect unpaid council tax.”