Electoral Roll & Council Tax...

bumendofnowhere

A slightly interesting one here.

At the moment, i'm owing my local council a small fortune in council tax, although I moved away about 6 months ago, and have moved back into their county.

My question is basically this. I'm looking to apply for some form of credit, but I know *anything & everything* will be rejected due to me not being on the electoral roll. If i register on the electoral roll, how much *MORE* likely are the council to chase me for the council tax, than if I didn't.

I've been at this property for almost 6 months, and i'm still not registered for council tax. They sent one letter just after i moved in "to the occuiper", but nothing since.

Please don't comment on the fact that I should register etc, as I know the legal situation, and just unfortunatly cannot afford it, and would lose my property to rent arrears. I do intend to register, but not for a few months.

I just want an answer to the question asked please. Will registering on the electoral roll, make me more likely to be *busted* by the council?

Many thanks.

bumendofnowhere

AND... How long should you wait after registering on the electoral role before applying for credit? 'A rough guide/idea'.

bethanyrayne

bumendofnowhere wrote: »

AND... How long should you wait after registering on the electoral role before applying for credit? 'A rough guide/idea'.

Unless someone else pays the council tax they will catch you eventually as they occasionally drive by empty properties after dark to see if there are any lights on etc.

They'll pick up the outstanding tax you owe them pretty quickly after you register.

You can apply for credit straight away but since you have not been living there at least 3 years they will want previous addresses.

bumendofnowhere

Could i not just tell them they have the wrong person?
There's plenty of people with the same name.

I've been pretty careful with the 'paper trail'.

methusala_2

local councils can now legaly access dhss records, tax computer, even the DVLC computer as well as the national car insurance computers. They now have the power to listen in to your phone calls on the authorisation of thier own designated officer and they don't have to tell you they are doing it. Paper trails are much harder to hide these days than 4 years ago.

nickmack

bumendofnowhere wrote: »

Could i not just tell them they have the wrong person?
There's plenty of people with the same name.

I've been pretty careful with the 'paper trail'.

This is a moneysaving forum, not for the discussion of avoiding paying tax.

The best thing to do would be to face up to your debts. There's plenty of help on the Debt Free Wannabe forum.

CIS

Unless someone else pays the council tax they will catch you eventually as they occasionally drive by empty properties after dark to see if there are any lights on etc.

Not in our area they don't - only for benefit fraud.

local councils can now legaly access dhss records, tax computer, even the DVLC computer as well as the national car insurance computers

Not AFAIK for Council Tax purposes - only benefits staff are allowed access to HMRC records - we make do with Credit Search agencies, internal records, electoral roll and info from landlords/managing agents/other councils.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1992/Uksi_19920613_en_1.htm - see part 2 of the regs

SABZY86

How can you want to apply for credit? If you cant ''afford'' to pay your council tax, how can you afford to pay back what you borrow from creditors?

They will catch up with you in the end. Who wants to be in debt and lumbered with a high council tax bill and fine? You mite as well forget the credit and pay the council tax cos then you'll eventually have nothing. Its a no brainer. It minimises what you'll pay out.

SolicitorMidlands

Is it a criminal offence not to be registered for council tax? Sorry to bring this post back!

SolicitorMidlands

Sorry - just going through my old posts and never got a mention for this. I am sure when I was a student I remained on my parents council tax and nowhere else...?

anniecave

If you are a student then the fact you are living at a property is ignored for council tax purposes.

A house full of students means the property is exempt from council tax
If one working person and one student share a house, then the one working person gets a single person discount, so the bill is only 75%, just like if that one working person was living there on their own

But yes you should always register with the council for council tax purposes, even if you are exempt or can get ct benefit to pay for it all anyway