council tax break due to coronavirus

cmb68

I asked to stop paying for 2 months and pay at the end instead; February and March.  The council said they would restart payments in July which i could just about afford to do. I hadn't heard back from them by the end of July so contacted them again.  Said they'd send new bill.  Nothing.  Contacted again and received email today showing payments to be taken from end of September.  They want me to pay 10 months council tax in 6 months.  I can't afford to do this.  It is their fault  that it has taken so long to sort out.  Any advice please.

bradders1983

Did you not keep the money to one side from July and August?

[Deleted User]

Your still responsible for your council tax regardless of any breaks given, it was obvious you would have less time to pay the same amount. 

mattyprice4004

Where is the money you saved from July onwards?

It’s the same money, and if you’ve spent it that’s not really their fault.

cmb68

Thanks for the replies.  Just letting off steam really.  Just annoyed that they took so long to sort it and i still haven't received the bill they were supposed to post to me.  I think it is the large amount to pay each month which scared me.  I'm self employed and not earning much and we've just been informed we have to move from our rental property as our landlady has to sell her property and move into ours as she has no work.

elsien

cmb68 said:

Thanks for the replies.  Just letting off steam really.  Just annoyed that they took so long to sort it and i still haven't received the bill they were supposed to post to me.  I think it is the large amount to pay each month which scared me.  I'm self employed and not earning much and we've just been informed we have to move from our rental property as our landlady has to sell her property and move into ours as she has no work.

Just because the landlady wants you out doesn’t mean you have to go. They still need to follow the correct notice procedures and if they have to wait to evict you there’s a huge court backlog. Unless you want to move, you could be where you are now for a good few months. Unless the landlady wishes to give you a cash incentive to find somewhere more promptly. 

bradders1983

Has your landlady served you the correct notice? Bear in mind there have been temporary changes to the eviction/end of tenancy laws due to the pandemic.

hb2

Minimum notice is now 6 months (since end August) and then it would take months to be heard in court, so the OP can sit tight for the foreseeable future - unless they choose to move.

poppy12345

Have you looked into claiming council tax reduction? https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/council-tax-reduction-making-an-application/council-tax-reduction-who-can-apply/

cmb68

Thank you all for your helpful comments.  There are a lot of people in a worse situation than us. Just have to make an adjustment and get on with it.  All the best to everyone during these hard times.