Only In Northern Ireland Thread

almillar

Problem with metering, which is the logical solution of course, because water isn't free, is the cost of installing the meters. They should be installing them in new builds for future use, but you'll always be left with houses with no meters too.

warmhands.coldheart

Pam17 wrote: »

Our rates bill is just in and for next year they are asking £1362 :eek: not £800 and very clearly on page 5 of the little booklet they sent with the bill it states "Rates pay for the public services delivered by the NI Executive and by your council" and listed below it says the NI Executive uses the money to pay for such services as education, health, roads and water and sewerage.
I think £1362 is more than enough of a contribution for a household which has 3 adults who work fulltime and aren't there 24 hours per day. I think with that size of a contribution we have the right to expect we have paid in full for all our services.

£1362, obviously a nice big house!! lol!!
About £800 is the "Average" for N.Ireland (or so the guy on the radio from the LPS said). £1362 would be an "Average" rates bill in GB. When living in Berkshire over 8 years ago we were paying £1250 council tax on a 3 bed semi (would probably be nearer £1500 now no doubt) then we had the extra £200 Odd for water on top.

I'd agree with drew, water should be metered, the more you use, the more you pay.
Alternatively, the rates should be based on the number of people living in a house, not the size of it. 5 people living in a 3 bed semi in Craigavon are going to use more "services" than 2 old fogies in a 6 bed detached on the Malone road so why should the old people's rates in this situation be 4 times more expensive?? makes no sense.
The whole system needs re-looked at.

Old_Git

only in Northern Ireland can we argue about rates and water rates

warmhands.coldheart

Old_Git wrote: »

only in Northern Ireland can we argue about rates and water rates

Sorry Old Git, Hope I didn't offend you with reference to you old Fogies living in 6 bed Mansions on the Malone Road!! :rotfl::rotfl:!

harry4444

Only in Belfast can you go to the post office on a Wednesday afternoon to find it closes for a half day (still in the dark ages).:mad:

smokiewater

Only in Northern Ireland is there nothing like a good moan!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Old_Git

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

Sorry Old Git, Hope I didn't offend you with reference to you old Fogies living in 6 bed Mansions on the Malone Road!! :rotfl::rotfl:!

nope seeing as I come under Craigavon council ,and I dont get my mansion in Belfast until my relatives die :rotfl:

gawa75

Only in Northern Ireland could you go to the all-singing all-dancing brand spanking new 21st century futuristic Public Records Office in the Titanic Quarter and find the cafe doesn't take credit/debit cards.

:mad::mad:

tara747

harry4444 wrote: »

Only in Belfast can you go to the post office on a Wednesday afternoon to find it closes for a half day (still in the dark ages).:mad:

:eek::eek::eek: Which one?

wdyw

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

£1362, obviously a nice big house!! lol!!
About £800 is the "Average" for N.Ireland (or so the guy on the radio from the LPS said). £1362 would be an "Average" rates bill in GB. When living in Berkshire over 8 years ago we were paying £1250 council tax on a 3 bed semi (would probably be nearer £1500 now no doubt) then we had the extra £200 Odd for water on top.

I'd agree with drew, water should be metered, the more you use, the more you pay.
Alternatively, the rates should be based on the number of people living in a house, not the size of it. 5 people living in a 3 bed semi in Craigavon are going to use more "services" than 2 old fogies in a 6 bed detached on the Malone road so why should the old people's rates in this situation be 4 times more expensive?? makes no sense.
The whole system needs re-looked at.

Sounds like Maggie's poll tax from the late 80's. I though it was great idea, but it didn't go too well with those on low wages!

On the mainland, our Council Tax is now around £1700 - remember we had labour in power for 13 years and all those labour councils raised the tax as much as they could.

Water bills - currently just under £200 a year for my house. The better half who also has a house pays about £300 even though we only use the house a couple of days a month - just because she doesn't have a meter and pays a flat rate.

UK - 25% relief on council tax if there is only 1 of you in the house - N.I. no relief at all! Until this year the house had to be gutted of all furniture to be exempt from rates, from Sep I beleive from the literature that came with my £800 bill, vacant properties will be the full amount.

Overall - swings and roundabouts, and it needs changing - re-invent the poll tax!!