No Council Tax Bill for a Year!

bearcat16

Hello everyone,

I moved into a new-build house in October 2014 (a year ago exactly) and still have not had a council tax bill. We're on the electoral register, and everything else is normal. I mentioned it to a few of my neighbors and they have all had their bills.

I called the council tax office a week after we first moved in and they said the property had not yet been assessed and a bill would come soon.

After another 2 months I called them again to tell them they still hadn't sent me a bill, and they said it was not yet assessed, but that "I could still pay money towards my council tax account if I wanted to"

No thanks - I'd rather have the money in my account earning me interest than the council's!

Anyway, as this is a new-build estate there are a few houses that are identical to ours so I know what council tax band we should be in, and I have been putting the money aside into a savings account every month (£140) as of course they could ask for the whole amount at any time.

Now after a year it's up to £1,400, and I'm not complaining, but I've never heard of this happening before. Usually in this area, if you are 2 seconds late paying it they are threatening your life!

I also wonder what would happen if we were to sell this house and move away out of the area completely. (not that I'm planning that). Would they lose track of me or would they somehow chase me up and down the country?

I should also add I have no objection to paying council tax at all, I know it pays for services we all use etc. I'm just surprised that the council, despite being told twice, don't seem all that bothered about collecting it!

Anyone had a similar experience?

xylophone

Why not write to the Council (post "signed for") and explain the situation?

You should then get a written reply setting out a timetable for setting up your CT account?

booksurr

the council cannot collect it until the Valuation Office Agency notifies them what band it belongs in.

You are therefore caught between 2 public sector bodies unable to agree a timescale between themselves. However, as you realise, once the band is set the whole liability will become immediately due and will be back dated to when you became owner so don't spend it!

amy26

It's taken us three months to get a council tax bill in our new home (not new build). I agree you think they would be in more of a hurry! Hope you get it sorted.

lincroft1710

Perhaps the council have forgotten to tell the VOA the house needs banding. I knew of one case where a house was not banded for 7 years - the occupier still got a 7 year backdated bill.

bouicca21

My flat is banded, I notified the council as soon as I moved in. No council tax bill arrived. I notified them again. Still no bill. The only way I managed to get one was by complaining to my local councillor.

bearcat16

Thanks, That is interesting.

I won't write to them or do anything else to gee them up because I am actually quite pleased they're being slow about it as I'm earning interest on the money.

I'm not avoiding the tax, after all I've told them twice and done exactly what they told me to do- just wait for the bill.

I was just curios if this were a common thing.

That 7 year bill story is funny! Imagine having to fork all that out if you'd not been putting it aside!

Majestic12

All you can do is keep safe around £1400 (estimate based on a year) until that bill comes.

Poppy9

When you eventually get a bill check if you can pay online via CC as then you could get cashback on your CC and pay the CC off with the savings you have put away!

sweetilemon

I would definately keep putting it aside. I know someone who got a bill years later from a previous address so it will eventually catch up with you.

bearcat16

Well, another year has passed, and still no council tax bill.
As before, I've been putting the correct amount aside every month into an ISA.

Not complaining at all, I won't care if they don't send me a bill for 10 years! But I'm pretty amazed by it still.