council tax

pistelman

hi guys. things are a bit tight at the moment so im going to have to wait until the 9th Aug to pay the council tax. never been late with it before. do you think this would cause any problems.

thanks

pistelman

if it matters im in the charnwood borough

sourcrates

When do you usually pay it ?, you would not normally be sent a reminder until you were at least a month late in paying, but this does differ from council to council.
You are allowed two reminders, and a final warning, each council tax year, usually a month apart, but some councils can send them weeks apart, it just depends on individual councils own policies, if its only a few days/couple of weeks late, it should not matter.

Grumpelstiltskin

This is from their website.


https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/non_paymentandlatepayment_action


Be aware Council Tax is a priority debt, if you don't pay within their time limit you lose the right to pay monthly and they will demand the full years payment in one go.

pistelman

i usually pay it on the last saturday of the month, ie I would pay august bill (1st) today (26th july) sometimes over the years it has been paid just after the due date but within 3 days.
thanks for quick reply

[Deleted User]

sourcrates wrote: »

you would not normally be sent a reminder until you were at least a month late in paying, but this does differ from council to council.

I'll say it differs.

I got a reminder dated just 7 days after the due date.

I now pay almost a month ahead of the due date.

sourcrates

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I'll say it differs.

I got a reminder dated just 7 days after the due date.

I now pay almost a month ahead of the due date.

Our council aren't too bad, you get a month between letters, so if you miss a payment, its 3 months till you get the final warning letter.

longtermplanner

If you have always paid on time before, two weeks late once isn't likely to be a problem.

However, it may mean that a future problem is treated more seriously more quickly. Why not set up a direct debit? Council tax is a priority debt and you should mentally be thinking of this disappearing from your account the day you get paid.

dancingfairy

When's it due by ( not the date you normally pay)?
If it's going to be a bit late after the due date I would phone the council and ask their advice. As said some councils are a lot stricter than others and if it goes wrong they could withdraw your right to pay in installments and take you to court (which costs more money).
I would phone and speak to them and see if they can help but really it is not one I'd like to take a gamble with (as I know how much it can cost and how it give you added stress you really don't need). Can someone lend you the money (family/friends)?
df

CIS

I would echo the above - the council can mail out a reminder as soon as the payment's missed but many will give varying amounts of leeway so the best option is always to speak with them.