Rates issue

cat313

Hi, I have just been issued with a summons to appear before the magistrates court for non payment of rates.

The thing is I do pay my rates they go out by direct debit every month.

I have been issued these second rates bills about three times now in the past few years. I ring them and they say they are going to sort it out (I definitely only have one property).

The last time I contacted them they said to ignore any further extra bills. A few years ago someone came out to look, so how incompetent are they?

Has anyone heard of a similar experience? I think I need to get a solicitor involved as they are clearly not listening to me. I don't want to be out of pocket or a decree awarded against me.

Any advice appreciated, quite unnerved by the big red letter.

wifeforlife

Pm'd you

Cate

Blackfort

I had a similar experience with my TV licence some years ago. I had been paying by DD for numerous years and began getting red letters warning me about what they might do unless I got a licence. After perhaps 6 or 7 phone calls to them and receiving promises that it was sorted, I wrote them a letter saying that I welcomed the opportunity to see them in court with all my past licences and wished them good luck with their case!
We never heard from them again!

Hope you have the same luck.

kyral

I have just successfully had a complaint upheld about my rates!

I was awarded full housing benefit for 2 years despite not being entitled to it and ringing to tell them numerous times, after receiving rates bills with no amount due on them. I had even sent them payslips confirming I was working. After being told not to worry about it, this year when I got my bill I insisted on speaking to a supervisor who then admitted a 2 year computer error

I then received a bill for 3 years rates! I rang and explained that I could not afford it and was going to contest the previous 2 years bill as I was not at fault, they put a note on my account and advised me of the complaints procedure.

I duly complained, and as I knew they were wrong when I had contacted them at previous times, quoted dates and times of calls and who I had spoken to. I received a letter this week stating they accepted that the error was on their part and I do not have to pay the oustanding two years!!!!!!


Obviously if only have one property then they cannot charge you extra rates. I would imagine the onus would be on them to prove that you have more than one property. I would complain and ask for compensation due to duress!!!

cat313

Thanks for the replies, I will complain in writing this time. No more phone calls.

belfastgirl23

It might be worth asking for help from your local MLA or councillor if you can't get it resolved yourself, this is the kind of thing they should be able to help with

warmhands.coldheart

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

It might be worth asking for help from your local MLA or councillor if you can't get it resolved yourself, this is the kind of thing they should be able to help with

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Your SOOOOOO Funny!!! Like they'd be of any help.... I recently e-mailed 3 local councillors who sat on the local council environmental committee regarding fly-tipping in my area.... needless to say, not a sinner got back to me! USELESS!!

belfastgirl23

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Your SOOOOOO Funny!!! Like they'd be of any help.... I recently e-mailed 3 local councillors who sat on the local council environmental committee regarding fly-tipping in my area.... needless to say, not a sinner got back to me! USELESS!!

Must admit I haven't done this very often but the couple of times I have needed help I called into our local councillor's office and it was sorted out. I have a feeling that seeing them face to face might help a little, also because he was my local representative the people who worked there knew there was a vote in it for him (which is less likely if you're just emailing committee members). I'd still say worth a try, though I know what you mean, I wouldn't necessarily be relying on it.

BatCat

I too would second the option of going down to your local MLA. We had an issue with the rates office too and despite numerous calls and letters it simply wasn't sorted. Finally gathered up all the papers and visited my local Alliance party MLA's office. They had it sorted within a month. They had a contact within the rates office who was able to view the issue across the different rates offices and who figured it out. :T:T:T:T
Contacting the rates offices themselves did no good.
Cheers,
BatCat