A STUDENT wrongly sent a huge council tax bill is seeking legal advice.

Shocked Joanne Taylor, 22, was threatened with court action over an £840 council tax bill, six months after returning from Birmingham University.

Miss Taylor, who lives with her family in Brinkley Lane, Colchester, repeatedly complained to Birmingham City Council that she was exempt as she had lived in a student only-house, while studying.

The bill was put on hold while the mix up was investigated.

Birmingham Council eventually admitted the error and in March, the bill was quashed and she was offered £100 compensation.

But Miss Taylor continued to receive letters threatening her over the unpaid bill, including a court summons.

The former Gilberd School pupil said her family were consulting lawyers.

She said: “It is stressful, especially considering I’m studying for my masters.

“The amount of compensation they have offered is pitiful. I never accepted it.

“Now we are consulting with solicitors about it. It seems every time I think I have it sorted, it comes back up.”

The latest letter told Miss Taylor she must pay the bill or appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on June 6.

Despite having shared the house with six other students, hers is the only name on the bill.

The house was registered through the university and Joanne was told on arrival she would not need to contact the council as it would be aware of the exemption.

Miss Taylor studied for a degree in applied golf management studies, at Birmingham University, between September 2008 and June 2011.

She now works part-time as a golf coach and is studying for a masters in sports coaching.

A Birmingham City Council said: “We sincerely apologise for the upset this error has caused.

“We strive to deliver a good service to all residents within Birmingham, but in this case, our normal standards have not been met.

“We have contacted Miss Taylor individually regarding her case.”