Another quick council tax question

Heyitschloe88

I know I can just ring them up to find this out which I am doing tomorrow but thought I would just ask here to pre-empt what my reply will be.


I pay council tax on the 1st of the month. I'm moving out of my current council area on the 31st March but my lease ends on the 11th April and the new tenant moves in on 12th April. Now I know I'll be liable for the council tax up until my lease ends which I have no problem with. But as I pay a month in advance would I be getting a refund as someone else will then be liable for the council tax from that date?



I've already filled in the movers form on their website so would it happen automatically or would I have to chase it up? It's Wakefield council if that helps too.

davidmcn

It's apportioned on a daily basis, so you'll get a refund if you've overpaid.

Heyitschloe88

davidmcn wrote: »

It's apportioned on a daily basis, so you'll get a refund if you've overpaid.

Would I have to apply for this or do you think they'll do it automatically? Or would it be a case of wait and see

need_an_answer

Its done automatically and the bill produced will be for the dates in occupation and any payments in advance added to produce the adjustment.

A credit balance will then be returned to you...I had one in the form of a cheque although it may be possible for them to refund you via a bank account if that's how the payments were originally made

Heyitschloe88

need_an_answer wrote: »

Its done automatically and the bill produced will be for the dates in occupation and any payments in advance added to produce the adjustment.

A credit balance will then be returned to you...I had one in the form of a cheque although it may be possible for them to refund you via a bank account if that's how the payments were originally made

Yeah, I was wondering if by me filling in the movers form whether they would adjust the 1st April payment for the dates of occupation but then I've only done it this weekend so may not be processed in time.



I pay by direct debit but I've already got a redirection setup by Royal Mail just in case (not just for this of course).

need_an_answer

Sorry by dates of occupation I probably should have clarified that that is until the end of your tenancy agreement unless you have negotiated a handback to the LL of property and utilities sooner.

from memory the refund wasn't particularly quick...possibly took a month to process,but I guess each council differs slightly

davidmcn

Heyitschloe88 wrote: »

Would I have to apply for this or do you think they'll do it automatically? Or would it be a case of wait and see

Depends on the council. I had to ask last time (after realising it had never turned up or been credited to my new account with the same council...).

CIS

They should transfer the credit directly as legislation specifically allows for that case but not all councils are as quick off the mark as they should or could be.

Now I know I'll be liable for the council tax up until my lease ends which I have no problem with

Not always - it depends if you're still in a fixed period of not.

D_M_E

You probably already have the bill for next year - would they allow you to simply pay for the 11 days now and cancel the DD?

Ask if this is possible and if they allow it pay over the phone with your debit card and ask that they cancel the DD and also cancel it from your end with the bank as well - did this with Swansea, good job I cancelled the DD because they still tried to take the payment after I'd paid and moved elsewhere.

Heyitschloe88

D_M_E wrote: »

You probably already have the bill for next year - would they allow you to simply pay for the 11 days now and cancel the DD?

Ask if this is possible and if they allow it pay over the phone with your debit card and ask that they cancel the DD and also cancel it from your end with the bank as well - did this with Swansea, good job I cancelled the DD because they still tried to take the payment after I'd paid and moved elsewhere.

I shall definitely ask if I can do this tomorrow. I recieved the new bill for next year this week. Would definitely save a lot of hassle if this can happen

Heyitschloe88

Update:

I rang Wakefield council up. They said to fill in the 'moving outside the area' form on their website and they will send out a final bill with how much I owe them which will be the 11 days of the month. Said I had 2 options what with the next DD coming out before the 10 days are up.

- Leave DD running and they will refund me the money.
- Cancel DD and just pay when I get the final bill through.

So I've cancelled the DD and waiting on the final bill now.

Thank you guys