Backdating claim for Single Resident Discount

mgordon42

I have just reviewed my council tax details and checked with their office and discovered that I was given a Single Resident Discount of 25% for the years 1999 to 31st March 2003. From 2004 onwards no discount was applied and I didnt notice this change in situation - I was in financial difficulty, always was paying late and felt under pressure by their communications.

To further confuse the issue I got married on 5th August 2006 and my wife began living here from that date.

I consider then that I would be due to get a rebate of the 25% for the period 1st April 2004 - 4th August 2006. Is this correct? Do they have to give it to me? Are there some regulations I can go check. The lady at the office there says its up to the individual person dealing with the request - surely that cant be right/legal ?

Can anyone point me in the direction of regulations that stipulate how much backdating can be done? - I figure they owe me about 1100 pounds and that something that is not easily forgotten about.....

Does anyone lese have info on similar experience ?

socrates

You can claim back - as long as you have proof.

After all they would chase you to the end of the world if it was the other way around.

They may have sent you a questionnaire to confirm you were still claiming single person discount which you did not respond to.

mgordon42

Do you have any links to legislation that states this categorically? How do you prove no-one was there in the priod concerned? Is there any limit to the length of time ?

socrates

Just write to them and get proof you have sent the letter from the post office - also send via email.

They have to investigate - the same way they would if the shoe was on the other foot.

If they do not uphold your claim you can complain and take the matter internally.

Final stage is a Local Government Ombudsman Tribunal Service.

Be persistent - you will get there in the end.

mlz1413

the electrol roll is the normal way of checking who is registered at an address.

Also did your wife change her bank account address when moving in, or mobile phone/life ins/gym membership etc? Did she pay for mail re-direction?

There is a website called 192.com that can search names and addresses, it might be worth paying a small fee to a company like this to prove your dates, but I'm sure the council would have access to such information.

mgordon42

My wife is a national of a non - EC country and had no history here prior to us getting married.

socrates

Show them the marriage certificate if it ties in with your dates.

mlz1413

I'd say that was prove enough!

mgordon42

Showing marriage certificate seems logical in a way but the things is what information change did they apply in 2004 and 2005 and why ? Before I even met my wife abroad? Its like trying to prove/disprove a negative...and thats illogical...

Probably she could not be considered as living with me until she received her Limited Leave to Remain VISA about 1 month after we married but I would happily accept our marriage date as being the relevant date for calculation purposes.

socrates

Just give them as much information as possible to support your case and argue the toss later.

The sooner you write the sooner you can start the ball rolling!

mgordon42

Letter in progress - but does anyone know what the relevant date would be for my foreign national wife occupying my house as an additional resident ? Wedding Date, granting of Limited LEave to remain (1 month after wedding) or granting of Indefinite Leave to Remain (last year) or granting of citizenship ? One wonders do asylum seekers pay council tax ? Should I put all of this information in the letter ? Is it relevant ?