Council Tax arrears

supereddzz

This is a bit a convoluted one, but here we go!

So we became home owners of a new-build property late last year. Since that time we have been battling with our Council to get the council tax paid.

Long and short - the council were (allegedly) unable to bill us until the valuation office banded our property. Every time I spoke with the council (and that was a LOT of times) they would refer me to the valuation office. Likewise, the valuation office would blame the council, stating that they had not sent the necessary information through to band our property.

After months of to-and-fro'ing (turns out it WAS the council's fault), we finally received our first council tax bill in July 2019. Needless to say we have now built up significant amount of arrears. Our band is also questionable - a Band E for a 3 bed detached - something which I will be contesting.

Anyway, the arrears, plus the ongoing monthly payments, is verging on unaffordable for us (around £300 a month until 04/2020) and I'm suffering from bad financial anxiety as a result! I have since found out that the council could have estimated our monthly payments meaning that we wouldn't have been in this position now - something they neglected to tell me several months ago!

I just want to know where we stand really. I feel as though our council have really let us down and now we are paying the price (literally!). I have attempted discussing the situation with the council and I'm basically told "pay it - or else". :undecided: My partner and I don't earn a brilliant living between the 2 of us and our mortgage plus other bills/debt are difficult enough to cover as it is. Any advice would be much appreciated!

LABMAN

Why didn't you set the money aside? You knew you would have to pay Council Tax when eventually it got sorted out...it was never going to be a surprise that you'd have to pay?

comeandgo

You would have been able to look on the council web pages to see the amount a Band D would pay, which is average for a home, and put that amount past each month. You have no excuse, Council tax is one bill you should not fall behind on.

[Deleted User]

You are homeowners now and that means doing your due diligence on every last thing that ever needs attention.


This is going to be your life now - with regards to money, ensure an amount is taken, immediately, from your wage as an emergency fund - this is a good habit to get into and will stand you in good stead for the future.

Kentish_Dave

What sort of advice do you want? This is a priority debt, and must be paid.

What do you have to sell? Can you get extra hours at work, take on a second job, or anything similar to stop this escalating?

supereddzz

We have had some money set aside, but not enough to cover it. We weren't expecting to be banded so high, so it's come as an unpleasant surprise to us! Coupled with the fact that this has been our most expensive year ever - money does not hang around in our account for long!

poppasmurf_bewdley

You have six months to dispute the Band E valuation.

Collect information, all publicly available online, about similar houses locally and which band they are in, and then make your objection - to the Valuation Office, not the council.

supereddzz

I feel as though the council should accept some responsibility for this situation, though it would seem other posters here do not agree with that sentiment!

I guess what we really need is advice on how can we manage this debt without making our situation worse? I know that the debt needs paying one way or another, but we are financially crippling ourselves as it stands.

We both work very full-on day jobs, myself in particular, and won't be able to pick up a second job. I manage a bit of overtime every month, which helps, but this isn't consistent. Currently hoping that the other half gets a well-deserved payrise soon, but not holding our breath!

CIS

Long and short - the council were (allegedly) unable to bill us until the valuation office banded our property

They cannot issue a legal demand notice until the VOA have banded the property. Legislation does not allow it.

I have since found out that the council could have estimated our monthly payments meaning that we wouldn't have been in this position now - something they neglected to tell me several months ago!

They could do not more than than say 'you can pay some money to us and we'll hold it for you'. For many reasons this is not something most councils will get involved as it's far easier for you just to save the money yourself.

I have attempted discussing the situation with the council and I'm basically told "pay it - or else".

Legally that is the situation, pay as billed or they can pursue enforcement action.

supereddzz

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

You have six months to dispute the Band E valuation.

Collect information, all publicly available online, about similar houses locally and which band they are in, and then make your objection - to the Valuation Office, not the council.

Yes, we have got the ball rolling on this, thank you! :money:

Looking at similar houses on the estate, I can't see how they can justify the banding.

Karonher

Are you paying over 10 or 12 months? If you pay over 12 that could help a little. If not, you will have to cut other budgets to pay it.

Have you asked the neighbours what band they are paying?