Council tax... situation

wsaus55

update:

The council tax bill to date is HUGE.

Far far more than the amount I should owe. It has been confirmed that no letters have been to sent to my name at my address.

How on earth does this happen? It doesn't make any sense unless the previous tenants weren't paying up. If so, why weren't they chased? Why is it still "hanging over" the property??

BitterAndTwisted

You say you have been in the property for six months so that's two separate tax years. What are the "from" and "to" dates on the bill you have received?

I think you'll probably need to call at the council offices with your tenancy agreement in your hand. There might be prior unpaid CTax on the property but that won't be your bill

wsaus55

I'm sure that is the case, and I can prove my moving in/moving out dates.

My question is just for my own curiosity really - how can much a large amount of Ctax be left on the property? How did it slip through the net? Why wasn't it chased up with the usual 3 letters + debt collectors? Is it an honest mistake that they are dumping this bill onto me, or is it intentional? Or they simply so so incompetent that they can allow a bill to go unpaid for so long and they've simply "woken up" all of a sudden?

BitterAndTwisted

It appears that you are the person who has "woken them up" so they've issued a CTax demand for the total outstanding on the property. Possibly because neither the landlord nor a previous tenant has told them anything.

Still, luckily that's not your problem.

wsaus55

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

It appears that you are the person who has "woken them up" so they've issued a CTax demand for the total outstanding on the property. Possibly because neither the landlord nor a previous tenant has told them anything.

Still, luckily that's not your problem.

I feel so relieved that I have the contracts to hand to back myself up.

Still, it really worries me that the council is this disorganised. Surely if a business was run the way our country is it would be bankrupt within months! Thank goodness for the loyal taxpayers pouring money into this shambles of a system to keep it afloat!

/rant!

elmer

The dates of liability should be on the bill, so if they dont match the dates of your tenancy, give them a ring so that they can amend them, there shouldnt be a problem unless there is a dispute, only then would you need documentation.

elmer

princeofpounds

Be really really careful here. Many council tax offices ARE disorganised and you should protect yourself. Whilst the individuals are normally helpful, the system is somewhat inhuman and can cause problems by simply processing cases without really understanding what is going on.

Ultimately you should be fine as long as you can prove what you owe and you pay what you owe.

Rather than just ringing them, I would be tempted to visit the office in person with copies of your documentation and your debit card to solve it on the spot.

Try to get any arrangement reached recorded in writing.