forgot to notify council about council tax changes - advice!

amiehall

I think continuing the situation with the discount applied is most likely to get you into trouble... You should definitely remove the discount asap. If it were me, I'd probably tell them she moved back in 2 months ago and I forgot to inform them. Penalties are far far less severe if you come forward than if you are discovered.

societys_child

CIS wrote: »

Until the OP answers my previous question about where she was living before traveling the point cannot be clarified.

It's quite clear from the first lines of the first post that the gf lived with him and he only claimed single occupancy after she left. Did you not read it?

McKneff

I can understand the other posters saying just tell them she only moved back in today, last week etc. but, she should never have been taken off the bill to start with.

But, like I say, if you want to do things properly and above board, ring them up, explain it all and you wont be waiting for someone knocking on the door.

Its entirely up to you.

quote - i agree the services i recieve are next to nothing adn it's very expensive = quote.

join the club, I pay £116 a month for the pleasure of having me dustbin emptied. lol. So we are all in the same boat.

amiehall

Randvegeta wrote: »

I would disagree. If you left the country for 6 months, you may well consider not continuing to pay that unnecessary rent while you are away. 6 months rent is no small pick nick. If the OP was paying full rent for those 2 months, I would consider that as the GF moving out for that time and therefore the OP would be entitled to the 25% discount.

I think if the OP's girlfriend had moved all her stuff out when she left and put it in storage etc. there would be more of a case to be had regarding whether she'd "moved out" or not. As it is, this doesn't seem to be the case and basically whether she was there or not, this continued to be her home and the council tax was still due.

single_bloke

many thanks, does anyone have a web link or experience of what i can expect by ...

1. just changing it back via email or phone (will they be asking questions abou the absent period since the returning name will be on the system)

2. will i have a fine or any hassle / crimial record?

3. do i state from today or state an earlier date (outside of the 21 days) i don't want to say something then be made a fool under oath.

i know this might sound like evasion, but trust me, its just wanting to sort it out, without heavy handed councils penalising / making an example of a normal bloke who works hard.

wish i knew someone who could let me know for definite, i dread calling them up to do the right thing and then their actions wishing i hadn't, does that make sense?

CIS

1. just changing it back via email or phone (will they be asking questions abou the absent period since the returning name will be on the system)

2. will i have a fine or any hassle / crimial record?

3. do i state from today or state an earlier date (outside of the 21 days) i don't want to say something then be made a fool under oath.

1) many councils only take changes in writing rather than telephone.
2) as long as you pay what becomes due you wont have action taken against you.
3) you need to ask them to remove the discount (i.e you were never entitled to the discount). As your girlfriends name was known to the council as an occupier and you now state she has moved back in then they are likely to ask questions about why she left and returned.

McKneff

I have posted twice advising you of what to do so that you dont have to worry about someone knocking at the door heavy handed.
Still you are looking for ways of evading (which you deny but its exactly what you are asking. ) paying and trying to sort it out.
And by the way, we are the very people you shouldnt be asking to be honest, we pay ours, why shouldnt you pay yours. Sorry, but you are making me a bit cross now.

If you want to sort it out - tell the truth. Simple.

CIS

If you want to sort it out - tell the truth. Simple.

honesty is the best way, the power lies with the council.

I've seen many cases like this and withdrawn discounts where its apparent it was only a temporary absence. The option then is for person to dispute via a valuation tribunal, a dispute which they would not win.

single_bloke

sorry last poster that i annoyed you, your info is valuable.

i am not trying to not pay anything, i just don't want a disproportionate example to be made of the situation. from what i understand of the the law it can be interpreted as black and white, in this case, he is a bad man, lets make his life hell.
my authority seems to be benefit central all doleites smoking/drinking all day near where i work, not a care in the world paying for nothing and seeming to have more cash than me.

i am cynical of people in office and think many would rather have me hauled over the coals than offer any sort of appreciation for me coming forward. they don't seem to want to get involved with the type of geenral public who is rough and gives them hassle, you see so many stories of real shameless families getting away with everything not caring a hoot, whereas people like me who drop a crisp bag or overstay parking for 5 minutes are pounced on.

my worry is the system and some officer reveling in their own self worth.

i don't want to open pandoras box of council power crazedness

single_bloke

CIS, when you say honesty is the best way... what do you mean?

1. say she moved back recently, present day ...
2. get her to phone and add her name
3. admit guilt (the gods whole truth) and wait for the interviews/crimianl record/fine/solicitor costs, etc
4. other...

see last post for my concerns as to how 100% honesty can be pounced upon