was it worth it, am I rich?

Bunter_2

gadgetmind wrote: »

I got something similar asking all kinds of personal questions about our house. My suspicions were raised by there being no THREATS about all the PUNISHMENTS that would be thrown our way if we didn't complete the letter, so I called the company and asked what information I legally had to supply.

They said "none". I threw the letter away. End of.

---

From the council website:

Q. What happens if I don't return the enquiry form?
A. Your discount will be cancelled from the date considered to be appropriate according to the information obtained. You could also face a penalty of £70 for not returning the form, and failing to tell us about a relevant change in circumstances.

Bunter_2

[QUOTE=Savvy_Sue;45410252]
I'm struggling to see how your personal affairs are more under scrutiny than they were before? [/QUOTE]
______________________________________________

The Council’s words not mine!

I am sorry I never kept the actual letter so I could quote from it. The letter, or perhaps form, had to be completed by all house-holders claiming single person council tax rebate. The letter said that the council was using a third party to carry out more stringent checks than had ever been made previously. The form had to be signed and returned within 21 days.

This, from the council website:

Q. How is the review being carried out?
A. Northgate, acting on our behalf, is checking all council tax accounts which have a 25% single person discount against a variety of third party data sources and specialist validation services.
_________________________________________________________________

QUOTE=Savvy_Sue;45410252]
I'm pretty sure that the council always had the right to check that you were in fact living alone, didn't they?
[/QUOTE]

Again from the council website:
Q. Are you allowed to use a third party to carry out the review?
A. Yes. The law allows councils to 'contract out' certain functions. Ascertaining entitlement to discounts is covered in Section 12 of the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Tax Billing, Collection and Enforcement Functions) Order 1996.
_______________________________________________________

The council say they are just checking the addresses and not individuals. Hmm!
I don’t want to over-state the case here but I am absolutely certain that the letters were sent out with the intention to put the frighteners on people.

In my view, Councils are supposed to serve the people. They are not our masters. Yet increasingly the language that councils employ, especially where council tax is concerned, is designed to be intimidating, and is very often downright rude.

beedeedee

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

But that lady's argumentativeness was not the reason she was entitled to any of those things. Her entitlement came from her lack of savings / income. And with those came lack of choice.

I know which I'd rather have.

She did rather well out of having a lack of choice......a really nice apartment in a converted building that has apartments costing upwards of £250,000 the other side of a brick wall, in one of the nicer towns in England. She had had assets (half of the family home for instance) throughout her life but chose to spend them all. It's not for me either - but I can see the attraction........

gadgetmind

Bunter wrote: »

A. Your discount will be cancelled from the date considered to be appropriate according to the information obtained. You could also face a penalty of £70 for not returning the form, and failing to tell us about a relevant change in circumstances.

I suspect these are weasel words of the worst kind. If they receive no additional information, how can they assert that the situation has changed and how can they select an appropriate date? I also suspect the penalty is not for failing for return the form but for not telling them about changed circumstances.

Of course, I could be wrong, but more accurate wording might be.
"You have no legal obligation to return this form BUT you must tell us if your situation has changed either by returning this form or otherwise in writing."

gadgetmind

Bunter wrote: »

The council say they are just checking the addresses and not individuals.

How does a house sign a form?

Let's just say that if I ever got one of these I would totally refuse to deal with some shady third-party contracting company and would take the matter up with the council.

Any Tom !!!!!! or Harry can send a letter pretending to be acting for the Council. How are people supposed to know which (if any) are legit and what information they legally have to provide?