NI Rates

murphy306

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can help with this query. I have just received a demand for rates bill for £4k for rates from 2008 to date. They have advised if I do not pay the full amount they will take me to court etc etc. However I am unable to make a full payment of £4k as I am not working and have no savings etc. I own the house, it is a new build in 2008.

M

BOBS

Have you not paid rates for previous years ??

murphy306

No it was a new house i lived at home before this one but they have not asked nor sent out Rates bill until November last year

SnowyOwl_2

You should be allowed to pay by monthly installments. Give them a ring on Monday and ask if you can do that. How are you paying your mortgage if you are not working and have no savings etc? Did you pay cash for the house? If you are not earning then you can tell them that on Monday as well as you may be except from paying them, depending on your circumstances.

BOBS

murphy306 wrote: »

No it was a new house i lived at home before this one but they have not asked nor sent out Rates bill until November last year

as soon as you put your first piece of furniture in a new build you are liable to pay rates.

highrisklowreturn

BOBS wrote: »

as soon as you put your first piece of furniture in a new build you are liable to pay rates.

Technically yes but in practice this is seldom the case....


What has happened is an "LPS balls-up" ie they received the data from building control in 2008 that the property was newly constructed, and it has taken them 3 years to make a valuation and have this transferred to the rating division who in turn have not sent a bill out on time, leaving you with 3 years of rates and no breakdown or explanation as to why it took so long for them to rate you.

Even if you had told them in 2008 you had moved in it would have been disregarded if valuation had not told rating you were on the system; and if rating had not checked with land registry to know you own the property.

You're now going to get major hassle off them if you attempt to backdate benefits.

Enjoy.

wifeforlife

highrisklowreturn wrote: »

Technically yes but in practice this is seldom the case....

Enjoy.

Very much the case now, you have to sign a legal declaration and provide evidence of vacancies. Although this will be redundant in October with the new rating of empty homes.

OP just call on Monday, explain your situation and if your on income support, jsa, or ESA you can get help with rates. They won't back date it though, as they will state you should have applied when you moved in iro of not having a bill

Cate

Mistral001

Looks like you just have to work out a way of paying what you owe with the Rates people. Talk to them and explain the situation to them with regards to your present financial situation. You could try Citizen's Advice as well.

Let us know how you get on.