Incorrect Council Tax Bills

Dwarf123

My elderly mother has been in hospital after a severe stroke since Nov2023 and moved to a nursing home in Mar2024 but keeps receiving, and paying, invalid Birmingham City Council Tax bills.
I've not received a reply to a complaint (with a 2 day resolution) I raised over 9 days ago!
Currently receiving two bills which are being paid for, one for her vacant and unfurnished house which should be cancelled and another for the nursing home she's currently residing in.
The council have closed their Customer Service Number so I can't contact them! Incredibly poor service and horrendous errors that are causing anxiety and stress and seriously impacting my mothers' mental health. I have also raised a case on Resolver.co.uk but anticipate the council to ignore it based on current form.
No Council Tax category so posted under Consumer Rights.
Any suggestions on other options please?

p00hsticks

Dwarf123 said:

No Council Tax category so posted under Consumer Rights.

Welcome to the forum, and sorry to hear of your situation.  

I don't have any suggestions for advice, but just FYI there is a board dealing with Council Tax here (but most of the threads there are about appealing the band of the property)  
Reclaim mortgage fees, council tax, etc — MoneySavingExpert Forum

elsien

She should be exempt from paying council tax at the nursing home. Silly question, but are they aware that the address is a care home?

Does your mum have capacity around her finances because I’m wondering why those bills are still being paid while they are being disputed? If not, do you have power-of-attorney for her because they might not talk to you without it. 

Might be worth contacting a local councillor because they can sometimes prod the relevant departments into action. 

daveyjp

Contact local councillors,  thats what they are there for.

Don't complain about the precise details of the matter, complain that you are trying to sort out a council tax issue, but despite continued effort on your part to resolve the matter you are having no response from officers.  

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

If they don't resolve the complaint you can escalate it to the ombudsman 

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50172/comments_compliments_and_complaints/1928/the_complaints_process/2

I think Birmingham City Council are in serious financial trouble, not that it's particularly an excuse, but probably not surprising they aren't that quick to reply. 

sheramber

Have you asked the nursing home why she is getting a council tax bill for their property?

born_again

Dwarf123 said:

My elderly mother has been in hospital after a severe stroke since Nov2023 and moved to a nursing home in Mar2024 but keeps receiving, and paying, invalid Birmingham City Council Tax bills.
I've not received a reply to a complaint (with a 2 day resolution) I raised over 9 days ago!
Currently receiving two bills which are being paid for, one for her vacant and unfurnished house which should be cancelled and another for the nursing home she's currently residing in.
The council have closed their Customer Service Number so I can't contact them! Incredibly poor service and horrendous errors that are causing anxiety and stress and seriously impacting my mothers' mental health. I have also raised a case on Resolver.co.uk but anticipate the council to ignore it based on current form.
No Council Tax category so posted under Consumer Rights.
Any suggestions on other options please?

Check council policy, as many now charge for empty properties. Especially ones that are hard up & Birmingham is one of these,
See link below. Did you apply for exemption E? If not explains charge.

On the other care home. Has someone just updated her address to that location? Therefor they think this is her new address & she is not just in a care home.

But as above get Councillor involved. 

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20144/apply_for_a_council_tax_discount_or_exemption/807/apply_for_an_empty_property_exemption_on_council_tax

littleboo

^ This. Have you applied for a Class E exemption? I did this recently (not in Birmingham) and it was a very straightforward online form and a rebate was received very quickly.

lincroft1710

I find it hard to believe a council would serve a CT bill on a resident at a nursing home believing them to be the liable person.