was it worth it, am I rich?

Errata

I can't see how anyone's credit rating would have any bearing on their council tax 25% single person discount. It makes no sense.

lilac_lady

I'm retired and the only concession I receive is a single person's reduction on my council tax. I'm indedpendent financially and otherwise so I would hate to have to claim pension credit. I pay tax and live well on my income.

Don't wait too long before spending in retirement because for some of us "tomorrow never comes."

I think it's worth it to be in a nice home with no mortgage now. That situation and no debt is a major factor in enjoying retirement IMO.

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

I can't see how anyone's credit rating would have any bearing on their council tax 25% single person discount. It makes no sense.

but would a credit check agency not be able to say "3 people showing as living at this address"? I know people can be at the same address without being financially linked, but presumably the agencies still know who's showing at each address, IYSWIM?

I know the council can't (or didn't used to be able to) cross-check the electoral roll against Council Tax liability, although that might have changed! Maybe that's why they get a credit agency to do it?

Bunter_2

Errata wrote: »

I can't see how anyone's credit rating would have any bearing on their council tax 25% single person discount. It makes no sense.

UPDATE

Q. Who are Northgate (the company carrying out the review)?
A. Northgate is a reputable company who specialise in the provision of Benefits and Revenues software and they deal with Benefits and Revenues processing work for many Local Authorities.

Errata

So instead of Councils sending out 'confirm your discount entitlement' letters, they've outsourced the job. Anyone who is claiming the discount legally has nothing to worry about, anyone who isn't can face the consequences. Seems fair to me.

fairleads

allan2011 wrote: »

So was/is it worth it?

Emphatically yes. It's the price of pride and independence

Bunter_2

Errata wrote: »

So instead of Councils sending out 'confirm your discount entitlement' letters, they've outsourced the job. Anyone who is claiming the discount legally has nothing to worry about, anyone who isn't can face the consequences. Seems fair to me.

The (estimated) 94% of people who are claiming the discount legally have nothing to worry about...other than the fact that...their finances are now under scrutiny by local bureaucrats. This was not supposed to happen to people who struggled to be independent and self-reliant.

The bottom line is that a lot of councils are cash strapped and will do what ever is necessary to rake in more revenue. The world has changed. It does not matter now if you live on means-tested benefits or have a huge private pension. If you claim the single person discount the council can now scrutinise your personal affairs.

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

So instead of Councils sending out 'confirm your discount entitlement' letters, they've outsourced the job. Anyone who is claiming the discount legally has nothing to worry about, anyone who isn't can face the consequences. Seems fair to me.

That's rather what I thought. Mum's objection seemed to be based on not being sent an sae, as much as anything else!

Bunter wrote: »

The bottom line is that a lot of councils are cash strapped and will do what ever is necessary to rake in more revenue. The world has changed. It does not matter now if you live on means-tested benefits or have a huge private pension. If you claim the single person discount the council can now scrutinise your personal affairs.

I'm struggling to see how your personal affairs are more under scrutiny than they were before? I'm pretty sure that the council always had the right to check that you were in fact living alone, didn't they?

ceegee

allan2011 wrote: »

Our fixed outgoings are £500 per month, plus food and drink and going out once a week, say another £500 a month, and we are saving £350 a month.

So was/is it worth it?

Good grief, I should say so!:eek:

You appear to have a monthly income of £1350, which is a huge amount. I've never ever taken home anything like that and I am 55 and still working. If I had that income I would be laughing all the way to the bank.

Finance-wise, I think you've landed up extremely well.

margaretclare

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

That's rather what I thought. Mum's objection seemed to be based on not being sent an sae, as much as anything else!

I'm struggling to see how your personal affairs are more under scrutiny than they were before? I'm pretty sure that the council always had the right to check that you were in fact living alone, didn't they?

Wouldn't they know this from the electoral register, which is updated every year?