New council tax liability

tenchy

Young Miss Tenchy moved to her own house mid September, wrote to the council early November with her details and requesting they set up a council tax account. They've now sent a bill covering the period of the moving in date until 31/3/2022 and requiring immediate payment of the full amount. They state "payment by instalments", but then just list the one "full amount" instalment. They also classify the bill as "change of banding". Can they demand full payment on this basis? Thanks.

Brie

Not sure about that - but would suggest they should allow her some installments to catch up.  Do other homeowners in that area have to pay the whole year's bill in advance?  I doubt it!

And her own house....single occupancy?  Has she told them that?

tenchy

Brie said:

Not sure about that - but would suggest they should allow her some installments to catch up.  Do other homeowners in that area have to pay the whole year's bill in advance?  I doubt it!

And her own house....single occupancy?  Has she told them that?

Don't know about other homeowners in the area. It's a new build. Not single occupancy, and she told them that. She also provided bank details for DD payments.

lincroft1710

Had she informed the council in September rather than November, the council may have been able to set something up. Some councils spread the payment period over 10 months, some 12. If 10 months the final payment may be due in 3 weeks or so, thus there would be little scope for instalments. A CT bill is actually due on the 1st April (or the first day of occupation if later) and monthly payments are a concession which can be withdrawn if arrears occur.


It is worth her speaking with the council especially to clarify the "change of banding" phrase, when it is in fact a new occupation.

tenchy

lincroft1710 said:

Had she informed the council in September rather than November, the council may have been able to set something up. Some councils spread the payment period over 10 months, some 12. If 10 months the final payment may be due in 3 weeks or so, thus there would be little scope for instalments. A CT bill is actually due on the 1st April (or the first day of occupation if later) and monthly payments are a concession which can be withdrawn if arrears occur.


It is worth her speaking with the council especially to clarify the "change of banding" phrase, when it is in fact a new occupation.

Thinking more about this, she did indeed request 10 monthly payments (there is an option for 10 or 12). Given that Miss Tenchy delayed six weeks informing them - and they took even longer to respond - and assuming that a ten-monthly schedule excludes February and March, then I can see why the balance is now due via a single payment. Not sure whether she's going to contact them to try and arrange three instalments, or whether she'll just suck it up and pay the full amount in one go.