Council Tax Summons - but I've actually overpaid

konrad_mule

Today I received a court summons from the council which I believe is in error. I've been paying the council tax by standing order since last April and I paid the 10 monthly payments and because I forgot to stop the order in time, also an extra 11th payment in February. I received a demand from the council for a late payment in January and checking my bank statement I saw the payment had gone out on the 4th because of the extra holidays and assumed this had somehow triggered the letter. As I could see that I was up to date I ignored it. In any case they also subsequently received the February payment.

The court summons is for two months unpaid tax and a £50 fee. I'm going to ask the bank for a record of all of my payments to Oxford City Council but I can't see how I could be missing any. It seems the council are just financially inept. I'm not sure what to do now though. Should I go to court with my bank records? How can I make an effective complaint against them? I don't want to let this behaviour slide... it's unacceptable. And how do I get the overpayment returned?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

dmg24

Does the summons relate to this year's account, and are you sure you have not had reminder letters before? If so, and you can prove that you have paid, just give them a call and let them know. Problem solved, no need to get stressed about it.

lincroft1710

It seems unusual that the council would summons a) for late payment when the money only left the account on 4 Jan and b) saying there are 2 missed payments. Not all councils work on 10 months system, mine works on 12 months. There is also the possibility that the wrong account has been credited.

Direct Debit is much better than Standing Order.