Council Tax refunded to husband - Do I have pay what they refunded

Kangalee

Council Tax bill issued in both names for past 15+ years. Husband moved out, applied for refund approx 1.5 years later, refund of £1968 was given. I was not aware he had applied for or received a refund until I got a letter from CT office requesting payment of arrears from me amounting to over £2,000 followed by summons for non payment of council tax. Effectively the arrears relate to the dates for which my husband was refunded. Is this a standard procedure. I have spoken to various people in the CT department to get an understanding of why I am expected to reimburse a refund they decided to issue. I am struggling to understand how this can be feasible. Any explanation and or advice would be welcome.

elmer

You need to check with the council that your old CT account was joint and several, if it was, then the council made a mistake giving your husband all the refund, half of it was yours, ie you are still liable for half the amount that you now have been billed for.

If the account was solely in your husbands name with you named as an occupant then sadly this is correct.

If the council has made a mistake with the refund, ask to escalate the complaint, and hopefully, they will credit your new account with half the refunded amount and rebill your husband for it.

Hope this helps,

elmer x

lincroft1710

If your husband continued to pay the CT after he left the marital home, he is entitled to be refunded as he ceased to be a liable person from that date.