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Council tax refund

For a period from June 2004-September 2005 I was living in a property with my (now) husband. I was a full-time student and he worked. The local council told us we were not entitled to any discount since DH worked.

I have since found out that this was false and that the 25% single person discount should have been applied as he was the only person eligible for council tax at the property. I have the council tax redemption form from my university (proving full time student status) for this period and have written a letter to the council to ask for the refund as a retrospective refund (pasted below). Does anyone see any problems with this letter, I am really bad at writing letters- especially oficial ones? Any comments welcome.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request a retrospective refund of discount not applied to the council tax bill at xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx.

Between the dates of xth June 2004 to xth September 2005 I was living at the above address with my Husband, xxxxx xxxxx. As I was a full time student I rang xxxxxx Council shortly after we moved into the above address to enquire as to whether we were entitled to receive a discount to the council tax bill as I was a student. I was informed that because xxxx xxxxxx was not a student and was employed, we would not be entitled to any discount.

However, I have since found out that this information was false, and that if there are 2 adults – one working and one a full-time student – residing in a property, there is effectively only one person eligible for council tax and therefore the 25% single person’s discount should be applied. We did not receive this discount as a result of being misinformed; therefore I am seeking the appropriate 25% discount as a retrospective refund.

I have attached the appropriate proof of full time student status during the above period and am looking forwards to hearing from you in due course.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    That appears fine - I would grant your request based on that letter.

    You where misadvised and should have got the discount, in our dept their would be no problem backdating it for you and giving you any refund.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Bossyboots
    Bossyboots Posts: 6,756 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    ftbworried wrote:

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I am writing to request a retrospective refund of discount not applied to the council tax bill at xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx.

    Between the dates of xth June 2004 to xth September 2005 I was living at the above address with my Husband, xxxxx xxxxx. As I was a full time student I rang xxxxxx Council shortly after we moved into the above address to enquire as to whether we were entitled to receive a discount to the council tax bill as I was a student. I was informed that because xxxx xxxxxx was not a student and was employed, we would not be entitled to any discount.

    However, I have since found out that this information was false, and that if there are [STRIKE]2[/STRIKE]two adults – one working and one a full-time student – residing in a property, there is effectively only one person [STRIKE]eligible[/STRIKE] liable for council tax and therefore the 25% single person’s discount should be applied. As a result of being misinformed, we did not receive this discount. Therefore I am seeking the appropriate 25% discount as a retrospective refund.

    I have attached the appropriate proof of full time student status during the above period and [STRIKE]am[/STRIKE] look[STRIKE]ing[/STRIKE] forward[STRIKE]s[/STRIKE] to hearing from you in due course.

    Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

    Yours faithfully,

    Can I just tidy it up a little? It is fine in content, just some semantics which I have highlighted.
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