Bloody Council Tax!

looktothefuture

:mad:

Right so a few months ago I contact my Local Council to let them know I was unable to pay my Council Tax on time (i.e. the 01st of the month) for the forseeable future. They were fine with this and said as long is was paid on or before the 15th of each month that wouldn't be a problem and I could continue paying in instalments. So I've been doing that - sometimes it is in on the 01st and occasionally it's been put in online/by telephone around the 2nd Friday of the month (and always before the 15th!)

So this evening I get in and there is a Summons for Non-payment of Council tax for the period of 01.04.09 - 31.03.10.

I've got emailled receipts for each payment.

What is my next move? All help gratefully received.

LeeSouthEast

A phone call in the morning? If it's got to summons stage it's not great and mustn't be ignored.

looktothefuture

LeeSouthEast wrote: »

A phone call in the morning? If it's got to summons stage it's not great and mustn't be ignored.

Thanks Lee....

I won't ignore it... far from it! I've been paying, every month without fail and it really upsets me that I've had no correspondence from them at all, apart from the letter approving payments can be made on or before the 15th of each month and my instalment schedule will remain unchanged. And now this!

I thought I was doing what I was supposed to... I am paying this bill, I know how important it is to keep paying it each month and sometimes other less important bills go unpaid for a week in order for me to ensure I've paid this bill!

LeeSouthEast

The first step needs to be a phone call to confirm it isn't just a balls-up. Try not to worry unduly.. if you've paid, then what are they going to do precisely??

PNPSUKNET

Council = in writting only they will deny it if you dont

Jo_R_2

I'm positive I remember reading another thread a while back about paying council tax later in the correct month and I vaguely remember it turned out that the computer system was logging payments as late just because they weren't on the first even though they were being paid... Just off to search for it now.

scottishblondie

Councils are notoriously rubbish at dealing with council tax. I'm a student (hence exempt) and I submit a new exemption form each year, but last year started getting payment demands. Calling them did nothing, neither did writing. In the end I took a new form down to the council tax office along with all the bills they'd sent me. They sorted it out on the spot. Turned out my initial form hadn't been processed, but was languishing in a pile somewhere in the back of the office along with all the letters I'd sent.

Long story short - if calls don't have an immediate result, print out all the evidence and take it to your local office and they should sort it out immediately.

looktothefuture

Jo_R wrote: »

I'm positive I remember reading another thread a while back about paying council tax later in the correct month and I vaguely remember it turned out that the computer system was logging payments as late just because they weren't on the first even though they were being paid... Just off to search for it now.

Jo_R you are correct. I've just spoken to a lovely and helpful lady at my local council offices who says that even though I am paying, albeit late, the system automatically logs my account in default.

There isn't anything she can do but I am able to appeal on the grounds that payment is being made in accordance to the letter I received earlier in the year.

So it's off to write a rather strong appeal letter... I wonder if there are any templates to help me along in the process?