contacting council about council tax?

melancholly

so i apologise if this is a stupid questioni! i'm about to move into a place on my own and for the first time in 8 years of living in rented houses, i need to pay council tax (i've been a full time student for far too long so have always been exempt). how does it work? do i contact them or will they contact me? i want to make sure i pay the single occupation rate and i'd sooner get it sorted from the start so that i don't have to pay a few months' worth in one hit. i've read lots on their website on how to pay and all that, but what do i do to make sure i get a bill in the first place!?

pinkshoes

I've never contacted the council. When it comes to them collecting money, they will find you...

The last tenants will have contacted the council to say they've moved out, so no doubt a shiney letter will be arriving very shortly.

Give it a week or two, then if nothing arrives, give them a ring.

davetrousers

I just phoned them up.

poppysarah

You can just ring them up.
Best to do it as soon as possible

melancholly

i'm moving in at the start of Jan but I just want to get everything possible sorted now (looking at contents insurance atm in another window!)

i have no doubt that they will find me (although i don't know how competant this particular council are yet!!!), i just want to make sure i can pay monthly and not end up with a big bill a few months in!!!

thank you!

poppysarah

You're moving in at the time your tenancy starts?

Ring up and tell them - but put it in writing to them that you live on your own. Get it recorded delivery so that there's no dispute whether they got it or not.

pinkshoes

melancholly wrote: »

i have no doubt that they will find me (although i don't know how competant this particular council are yet!!!)

Councils are usually VERY competent when it comes to collecting money. For everything else they are useless!!

I'd contact them in advance to make sure you get the 25% discount.

beecher

Check their website as they may have forms available, including the 25% discount form. Might speed things up a bit. My council are quick to work out your bill, but not so quick to apply the discount.

m1ntie

melancholly wrote: »

i'm moving in at the start of Jan but I just want to get everything possible sorted now (looking at contents insurance atm in another window!)

i have no doubt that they will find me (although i don't know how competant this particular council are yet!!!), i just want to make sure i can pay monthly and not end up with a big bill a few months in!!!

thank you!

Just be aware that CT is payable in advance, although they do allow you to pay monthly - usually spread over 10 months, April to January, with no payments due in Feb & March.

Most Councils act immediately if someone falls into arrears without agreeing how they propose to pay, so always keep them informed.

50plusabit

Melancoloy

Best thing is to ring the local council offices, as to be put through to council tax department, let them know the date you are moving in and that you qualify for 25% discount, and say you would like to pay monthly by d/d. They will get this sorted out very quickly, always do when it concerns getting money !