Council Tax - 12 monthly instalments

Nick_C

My new Council Tax bill dropped through the door this morning, and there was no mention of the right to pay in 12 monthly instalments instead of 10. I phoned them, and told them I would be paying in 12 instalments, and they said they would send me a new instalment plan. What a waste of money, they should just ask for 12 instalments in the first place.

It seems Councils don't want people to know about this new legal right as it will hurt their cash flow, so if you have been asked for 10 instalments, know your rights and insist on 12 if that is more convenient for you.

Did you Council tell you that you can now pay in 12 instalments?

Gizmo247

No - but I knew that I could pay in 12 instalments

When I talked to my council it seemed it would be a bit of a faff.

Apparently I would have to inform them each year at the beginning of March that I wanted to pay 12-monthly and even then the first payment would be the same as the 10-monthly payments system and the next 11 payments would be then adjusted for the high first payment.

This is because they claim there is not enough time to setup for 12-months once the council tax is set for the year.

I told them not to bother.

Biggles

Yes - but they sent me a plan for 10 instalments

I pay them by online banking, so I shall just pay them 1/12th every month, Apr thru Mar.

CRISPIANNE3

Yes - but they sent me a plan for 10 instalments

Personally its nice having not to make a payment for Feb and March.

I always pay by my cash back credit card.

As they say every little helps!

Nick_C

No - but I knew that I could pay in 12 instalments

Biggles wrote: »

I pay them by online banking, so I shall just pay them 1/12th every month, Apr thru Mar.

I think you may need to get them to send you a revised instalment plan. If they don't, then technically you are breaching the plan and may lose your right to pay in instalments altogether! I've not checked the new legislation, but that used to be the case.

oldagetraveller

Yes - and they sent me a plan for 12 instalments

My council have offered this facility for some years now. I did and do opt for it but in spite of the higher monthly payments it was good to have two months "off" previously.
Possibly an option missing in the poll.
"Yes - and they gave me the choice of 12 or 10 monthly payments."

marathonic

I'll be paying annually to take advantage of the 4% discount on offer (I work this out at a little over 10% APR on the payment).

Cocobay71

No - and I did not know that I could pay in 12 instalments

CRISPIANNE3 wrote: »

Personally its nice having not to make a payment for Feb and March.

I always pay by my cash back credit card.

As they say every little helps!

Dont you get charged 2% on every cc transaction with your council tax, our council payment scheme states that?

Vortigern

Yes - and they sent me a plan for 12 instalments

I changed my bank. Leeds City Council sent me a new direct debit mandate to fill in. It allowed me to choose to pay in 12 instalments.

CRISPIANNE3

Yes - but they sent me a plan for 10 instalments

Cocobay71 wrote: »

Dont you get charged 2% on every cc transaction with your council tax, our council payment scheme states that?

So far they have not levied any charges on me.

CG19a

Glasgow City Council let me pay 13 times a year which is great since I get paid every 4 weeks and receive 13 pays. It always comes out the Friday after I get paid and I've done it this way for the last 7 years or so.