Never been asked for Council Tax

Friar_2

Hope this is the right forum - couldnt find anything similar.

Moved into a new place back in June, but have never had a council tax demand. Im about 99% certain no-one else is paying council tax on the property (previous tennant, landlord, etc), so its all very odd, and I have been working on the principle that you dont volunteer to pay taxes! I am registered on the electoral roll so they should know Im here!

But now it seems to have been going on too long, and while I havent been trying to avoid it, I havent actively tried to pay it either.

What sort of reaction will I get when I phone them up? Or should I phone them at all, or just count my good fortune, and put what I owe in a savings account until they ask for it, so that its not a shock?

Thanks!

HappyMJ

I am not one for volunteering either. The previous tenant may have had a liability order covering the period till April next year and no one has notified council that they have left...Please whatever you do make sure you have the amount due saved up ready to pay when the bill does catch up with you. A bill will come in March for someone then it's up to you to ring the council to correct the name on the bill.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

think maybe you should be on the House buying, renting and selling board, might get more response.

Anyway, I think they will catch up with you eventually, in the meantime, have a look at what your council tax should be, remember, if you live alone you will get a 25% reduction.

It'll be a good idea to have something put by in readiness, though when the time comes you may be able to come to some arrangement, and spread the repayment.

System

Individuals are responsible for informing the council when they move home.

See : DirectGov

The relevant paragraph is :

Council Tax and moving house

If you move home you need to tell your council. This is so you don't pay too much Council Tax for your old home and you pay the right amount for your new home. When you move:

• tell your council the date you're moving out, so that they can adjust the bill for your old home (you may get a refund)
• tell your council (or your new council if you're moving to a different area) when you're moving in, so they can start the bill for your new home from the right date

chalkie99

It will come back and bite you in the end so call them now and find out the actual situation.

You might have a pleasant surprise and find it is paid butr if not you can start budgeting now and make arrangements to pay by instalments rather than getting landed with a huge bill all at once.

Friar_2

chalkie99 wrote: »

It will come back and bite you in the end so call them now and find out the actual situation.

You might have a pleasant surprise and find it is paid butr if not you can start budgeting now and make arrangements to pay by instalments rather than getting landed with a huge bill all at once.

That is probably good advice and what I was leaning towards - if somethings too good to be true, it probably is!

Oh well it was nice to be "getting away with it for a while!".

Friar_2

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

think maybe you should be on the House buying, renting and selling board, might get more response.

I have done that - thaks for the tip