New rates account?

RTNI

Hi everyone,

I'm due to move into my first home in the next 6 to 8 weeks :j and was wondering if anyone could enlighten me about the process of getting a rates account?

I will be eligible for rate relief as I'm studying for a PhD, but I saw on the BBC news that Sammy Wilson is planning to scrap rate relief for students from December so I want to get my application in before that deadline.

Do the rates agency contact me about setting up a new account or do I have to do that? (Or indeed does the solicitor do this as part of the conveyancing process?)

Any and all info welcome!

Greentea

you have to tell them, then sit and wait for the bill. My experience with the rates office is that they havent a clue. So best to keep copies of anything you give them, as they seem to be able to lose documents, and dont have records.

warmhands.coldheart

Greentea wrote: »

you have to tell them, then sit and wait for the bill. My experience with the rates office is that they havent a clue. So best to keep copies of anything you give them, as they seem to be able to lose documents, and dont have records.

here Here.... put EVERYTHING in writing and keep copies.... As for the wait as greentea mentions.... It could be a while !!.

As for the rate relief.... if it is scraped I don't recon it'll make any difference apart from this one year and only if you pay it off in full... rates are re-issued each year so after next year if they are scraped, it'll effect everyone...

Just on the rate relief for students.... I really don't think they should have it as they still use all the same services and in all fairness it isn't actually the students who benifit.. it's the greedy landlords!!

NAR

Greentea wrote: »

you have to tell them, then sit and wait for the bill. My experience with the rates office is that they havent a clue. So best to keep copies of anything you give them, as they seem to be able to lose documents, and dont have records.

Think the rates office comment is somewhat unfair. Yes there were problems when the new system was forced in, but as far as I know most problems are now ironed out.

belfastgirl23

You can calculate the rates yourself here

http://www.lpsni.gov.uk/index/property_rating/billing/rates-calculator.htm

and then put the money aside till they get it sorted.

Phoolgrrrl

I found it hard to get the forms for relief, this link gives you info

http://www.housingadviceni.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=525&Itemid=366

Once the forms were left in there was no hassle and it didn't take long. If it is going to take a while you may be better to pay and get a refund- no idea how lond that takes tho!
Also you can only get relief if everyone in the house is a student/trainee not just the ratepayer.

Greentea

NAR wrote: »

Think the rates office comment is somewhat unfair. Yes there were problems when the new system was forced in, but as far as I know most problems are now ironed out.

Actually my experience has nothing to do with the new rates system, i have a property I imformed them was empty, was asked for NIE records plus letting agent proof, which I provided, they lost everything and continued to try and bill me.

RatesManNI

RTNI wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm due to move into my first home in the next 6 to 8 weeks :j and was wondering if anyone could enlighten me about the process of getting a rates account?

I will be eligible for rate relief as I'm studying for a PhD, but I saw on the BBC news that Sammy Wilson is planning to scrap rate relief for students from December so I want to get my application in before that deadline.

Do the rates agency contact me about setting up a new account or do I have to do that? (Or indeed does the solicitor do this as part of the conveyancing process?)

Any and all info welcome!

Solicitor wont do jack for ya as regard to rates its nothing to do with them.
You will need to contact the rates agency to get your account set up, i would recommend going into your local office and informing them as this would be easier than over the phone.

As for relief it is indeed stopping but people who are currently in receipt of it will continue to get this relief for the years they are students.

Greentea wrote: »

Actually my experience has nothing to do with the new rates system, i have a property I imformed them was empty, was asked for NIE records plus letting agent proof, which I provided, they lost everything and continued to try and bill me.

I hope that you got this matter sorted and the bills have been stopped?
Everything goes through the rates system. When you provided the evidence did you send it into your local office or to a certain building?
With vacant rating coming into within the next few years this will all not matter.