Council tax - You will be able to pay over 12 months as from April

merlot123

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255514/Council-tax-bills-paid-12-months-10-rules-overhaul.html

I thought this may be useful to some of the peeps. I have asked my council for years if I pay over 12 months, they have refused as I'm not a hardship case,as from April Eric Pickles says I can::T:T

moneypenny2k

I think it's been down to the council for years, I've been paying mine in 12 installments for years.

merlot123

moneypenny2k wrote: »

I think it's been down to the council for years, I've been paying mine in 12 installments for years.

Yes it has, and only certain councils permitted payments over 12 months, but as from April all councils in England have to allow you to pay over 12 months if you so wish.


Happy New Year.

merlot123

antonic

As I can afford to pay over 10 months, I appreciate having Feb & March as CT free months every year !.

homelovin

I have just worked out that reduces my payments by 37.00 a month. As there isnt any interest on this, it makes sense for me to do it and up my direct debit to a credit card by the same amount. And for anyone really struggling, this will help just pay for everyday living.

PeterJohnson

homelovin wrote: »

I have just worked out that reduces my payments by 37.00 a month. As there isnt any interest on this, it makes sense for me to do it and up my direct debit to a credit card by the same amount. And for anyone really struggling, this will help just pay for everyday living.

This is a really good point. Why have it making interest for the LA when we can be reducing debt interest building on Credit cards etc?

Better longer in our pockets than theirs . . .

fatbelly

Thanks for the reminder. This may make the difference between affordability and unaffordability for some, though for those on £71 per week JSA/ESA/IS and being asked to find £240 towards Council Tax, the difference between £24 per month and £20 may be academic as neither amount is affordable.

It's worth checking that your council does make this option clear.

7.16 These Regulations have been amended so that council tax payers will be informed of the right to pay in 12 instalments on the face of the demand notice.

NorthernSilver

I normally pay my 2 months of no C Tax to my credit cards as an extra payment.:money:

allydowd

Doesn't apply in Scotland.

CIS

Schedule 1 of the Council Tax (A & E) regs 1992 already allows council tax payments over 12 months at the council's discretion, it looks like the regs are being amended to set the statutory to 12 months instead of 10 months.

It appears that the change has just been decided on (its been discussed for some time) as it hasn't been covered in the new local government finance act, presumably this is either being amended or further regulations are being issued. It will be worth waiting until these are released before there's any certainty in what's the new instalment plans will be.

Mozette

I can't see how this makes any difference? Surely the total amount is the same if you pay it over 10 or 12 months? Isn't it...