Council tax help 14 January 2020 at 6:29PM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in Debt-Free Wannabe 4 replies 331 views

jade-brooke10

Hi all,

I'm at a loss as to what to do so I'm hoping you all can help!

I moved into a property in September 2013 and left in February 2014. (Council) I notified the council and also the housing association also notified them. A new Tenant moved in 2 weeks after I left.

Now my issue is, I am receiving letters off Bristow and Sutor for a substantial amount for the property. Thing is, I didn't live in this property at the time they are billing me for. They have been billing me for 7 years! I never knew until now. I have contacted the council and sent the over the Tenancy of the property I lived in proving to them that I wasn't at that address so the bill is not mine. I have also contacted the association who have also told the council and proven that they was notified. They are not having any of it. They are adamant I owe this bill and that they was never notified. Which they 100% was. Now I'm being chased for nearly £7,000 on a property I didn't live in during that time. I have the proof I did not live there when they have billed me.

I have emailed the City Mayor to see if he can help me, which I've had no response as of yet.

I really don't know what I can do. If anyone can give me any advice I would be grateful.

Thanks.

CIS

I really don't know what I can do. If anyone can give me any advice I would be grateful.

The tenancy of the new property does not by itself prove you are not liable for the old property nor does not being resident in a property does not automatically mean you could not still be liable. It's not that easy in council tax legislation (and can in some cases be a very complicated determination).


I do see client cases like this relatively regularly (I deal with council tax disputes) and in most cases it shouldn't be too much of an issue to sort with the correct action, really it's the time that it had been since then that would cause the main issues.

fatbelly

You've done the right things. Councils can do odd things - I recently received a demand for council tax for a property I sold in 2002! Fortunately the council accepted the land registry record as proof that I was o longer the owner.

Are you still living in the same council area? That might give you another option.

Failing that I think you are going to have to complain to the LGO

https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaint

CIS

fatbelly wrote: »

You've done the right things. Councils can do odd things - I recently received a demand for council tax for a property I sold in 2002! Fortunately the council accepted the land registry record as proof that I was o longer the owner.

Are you still living in the same council area? That might give you another option.

Failing that I think you are going to have to complain to the LGO

https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaint

The LGO won't touch a council tax liability issue as it's the remit of the Valuation Tribunal Service - before the VTS can be used there's a full process that has to be used.

fatbelly

Thanks, CIS - you're the expert on this.