Council Tax

*Steevo*

I moved into my first property a few months ago and received a council tax bill. The council calculated my tax due from the date I moved in up until the 31st March. It appears that they are charging me for every day since I moved into the property.
I was under the impression that Council Tax was payable in 10 monthly instalments from 1st April, and that Feb and March were non-payment months. But it seems I am being charged payments for Feb and March also.

Could someone advise please?

Doozergirl

You pay the full year in 10 installments.

Feb and March aren't free, they are pre-paid.

The council needs the money in sonthey can spend it before the end of the tax year, essentially. It's for their benefit, not ours.

If you move late in the year, the may do you a favour and spread your direct debits over a longer period - into Feb and March.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

folks look upon Feb/March as 'free', but they pay extra over the other ten months, some councils will allow you to pay over twelve months.

*Steevo*

I never said they were free - just that they were non-payment months.

So if the previous occupant paid the extra over their 7 months, and the council then want full payment for each day from when I move in until 31st March, surely the council tax they are charging is actually 12 months at the higher (overpayment) rate?

dancingfairy

As stated the charge is calculated daily but paid in 10 (or 12) installments. ( or however many installments are left in the council tax year).
Df

Sagz_2

The previous occupant of your home may have elected to pay over 12 months.

anselld

dancingfairy wrote: »

As stated the charge is calculated daily but paid in 10 (or 12) installments. ( or however many installments are left in the council tax year).
Df

... and if the previous occupants overpaid they would be refunded from the day they left.

anselld

Sagz wrote: »

The previous occupant of your home may have elected to pay over 12 months.

... which would make no difference either way.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

say your council tax is £1200 a year, your council may allow you to pay 10 x £120, or 12 x £100, still comes to £1200.

CIS

The council have given you more instalments than they are required to - they can issue the demand notice allowing instalments only until Jan (unless you specifically request to pay over 12 months).

*Steevo*

Total council tax = 100%
Previous occupiers paid 7 payments from April, leaving Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar left of the year....but payments would only be due for Nov, Dec and Jan as Feb/Mar are pre-paid as discussed earlier in the thread. 7 of 10 payments = 70%.

Remaining payments due Nov, Dec, Jan - 3/10 = 30%.

But....council are charging me 40% of the annual total bill. They suggest there are a 145 days when the property is occupied by me, and therefore expect me to pay per day for this.

At this rate, the council will have charged 110% of the valuation band, part payable by the previous occupant, and part paid by me.