Council Tax Inept Direct Debit

serenity15

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right area but I'm having major problems with my council tax. The direct debit seems to keep bouncing (even though I've sent them screen shots showing there is more than enough money in there). They aren't listening and just keep implying that I'm lying about not paying my council tax. I have the highest credit rating according to Experian and have no other issues with any other direct debits. They do not want to help and just keep ignoring me and implying it's my fault. I've spoken with my bank who have confirmed the error is not on their side and it is in fact with the council. Help on next steps anyone?

rockm87

Could you pay them by cheque?

greensalad

Write them a stern letter explaining the issue. Not email, written.

Also, include a cheque.

You could also request a book so you can go pay it every month manually but that's a bit of a pain.

CIS

The council will make a request to the bank , the bank then honour or refuse the payment. If it isn't paid, for whatever reason. then the council can and will chase the money.

From experience we had numerous problems with a couple of banks refusing only some payments (Lloyds and Nationwide IIRC) for no apparent reason - the request being sent to them were being made no differently from the hundreds of other direct debits they were approving each month. The problem lay with the BACS system or the bank itself but it could never be figured out exactly where the problem lay

Wont_be_beaten

Pay by standing order instead of direct debit.

sourcrates

There are numerous ways to pay your council tax, from your local council website by debt card is a good option, don't get into arrears because of there or there systems, error.

serenity15

I've checked with my bank anda payment was made in April but not in May or March. The council say nothing has been paid and they are so rude! I'm happy to set upa standing order but they are giving me no guidance or advice and stating it is my fault. The woman at the council was so rude and accused me of lying. I'm just in shock at the way I've been treated and their lack of support in resolving the issue

sourcrates

serenity15 wrote: »

I've checked with my bank anda payment was made in April but not in May or March. The council say nothing has been paid and they are so rude! I'm happy to set upa standing order but they are giving me no guidance or advice and stating it is my fault. The woman at the council was so rude and accused me of lying. I'm just in shock at the way I've been treated and their lack of support in resolving the issue

Which council is it ?

Name and shame.

serenity15

Rushmoor Borough. Be interested to see if anyone else had similar issues. I've written to the ombudsman as well with a complaint

sourcrates

serenity15 wrote: »

Rushmoor Borough. Be interested to see if anyone else had similar issues. I've written to the ombudsman as well with a complaint

Written complaint the way to go, it will bypass the minions and go straight to the complaints handlers, who, you would assume, will take a bit more measured approach to solving your problem.

CIS

To be honest in most cases there's nothing the council (or any other requesting agency) can do if they are requesting the direct debits and the bank are rejecting them as it's out of their hands.

There's also not a great deal the ombudsman can do - in the first instance they'll only look at a case once the council complaints procedure has been exhausted and n the second they cannot force the council to do anything, they can only give their opinion in the matter.