Letter from church - Formal notice of church rate due!

littlebird_2

We have received a letter today from a local church demanding £270 and quoting our council reference number along with the reateable value of our offices.

Its quoting The Parochial Church Counci (powers) Measures 1956 saying having been approved by Parliament, gives powers to the parochial church council to make, levy and collect a voluntary church rate for any purpose connected with the affairs of the Parish. At the request of the church, the word 'voluntary' is used to protect conscientious objectors from proceedings to enforce payment, but this does not affect the legality of the demand.

In pursuance of section 7 (ii), the Rector and Churchwardens do no levy this statutory rate for the year 2007. Payment may be made by cheque payable to xxxxx .

Is this a scam?

Thanks

imoneyop

A search on google shows that the act is a legitimate act and it is possible that this might be something similar to Chancel Liability.

The word voluntary is mentioned, so I wonder what would happen if you replied saying that you are athiests and therefore can't pay?

RadoJo

Well, it says right there that conscientious objectors cannot be forced to pay, so it seems unlikely that a scam would make it so plain that there was no obligation to pay.

When you say 'demanded', was there something else in the letter which gave the impression that this was not a voluntary payment? What exactly do they want the money for?

littlebird_2

Its does say Formal Notice of Church Rate due. Below is the formal rate demand and a remittance advice.

It quotes our council reference number and shows our rateable value of the building.

We have spoken to our local council who have been inundated with calls today and they say to dispose of the demand as its a money making scam.

I did google the number of the church and phoned the church to ask them direct and they say its legit and gave me another number to phone which I cannot get through on!

I'm going to file it.......

fudgeukraine

Why did a church contact you for money? do you live on Church land or something?

goshdarnit

littlebird wrote: »

We have spoken to our local council,,,they say....its a money making scam.
I ....phoned the church .....and they say its legit

Good to see they both agree then.

What church was it?

MarkyMarkD

I don't believe for a second that it's a scam. The council are idiots if that's what they are telling people.

The act referred to exists, and gives parochial church councils the ability to set a VOLUNTARY rate and to issue demands for the amounts involved.

Because it's voluntary, you don't have to pay.

But the demand isn't illegal, and isn't a scam.

Sooler

Church Rate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Rate

Colin2511

I cannot find the link, but I remember reading in the lsat couple of months a story about a couple down South who will have to sell their house to meet the church wanting the roof replacing - it comes back to they own the land or something like that from years ago - church wanted 10K they refused saying they did not own anything, church took them to court, and now with legal bills etc 10 years later they have to pay after high court said yes and they will have to sell the house to pay it - house is now worth loads less as no-one wants this noose around their neck....I am sure someone on here will remember the case, or find a quote as it was in the papers and telly at the time

Check out why they say you are liable, if they want rates this time, are you liable for repairs if the church suddenly say so? (it came as a huge surprise to this couple)

imoneyop

Colin2511 wrote: »

I cannot find the link, but I remember reading in the lsat couple of months a story about a couple down South who will have to sell their house to meet the church wanting the roof replacing - it comes back to they own the land or something like that from years ago - church wanted 10K they refused saying they did not own anything, church took them to court, and now with legal bills etc 10 years later they have to pay after high court said yes and they will have to sell the house to pay it - house is now worth loads less as no-one wants this noose around their neck....I am sure someone on here will remember the case, or find a quote as it was in the papers and telly at the time

Check out why they say you are liable, if they want rates this time, are you liable for repairs if the church suddenly say so? (it came as a huge surprise to this couple)

This is Chancel liability - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chancel_repair_liability or http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=50860 for more indepth info.

The difference between this and the rates demand is that this is not voluntary. If the church askes for the money you've got no get out.

We've just bought a new house that might be affected by it and had the choice of either paying for a search to prove whether it was on old church land or paying 100 quid or so to insure us against the church making a claim.

slarge

The Church must be really desperate for money to issue letters in this way. Not a scam but totally immoral IMHO. My advice is to get the local papers involved - you will soon see red faces at the Church as they strive to justify this piece of greed.