Spreading Council Tax Bill

Hi,
I hope that I have posted in the correct thread as I couldn't find anywhere else.

I currently pay my council tax over 10 months as I was not aware until earlier this week that I could spread it over 12. I rang my council to get this changed over and they have advised that they can do this but that they would have to change me over to direct debit in order to do this (I pay monthly). I would prefer to carry on paying on a monthly basis; my sister is telling me that they cannot stipulate this and that they have to let me pay over 12 months due to the change in 2013. Does anyone know for certain?

Thanks,

Comments

  • frugalmacdugal
    frugalmacdugal Posts: 10,077
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    Hi,

    bung you post code in here and it will tell what options your council offer.
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,545
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    That link took me to my council's online page, yet I pay by DD
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • Februarycat
    Februarycat Posts: 1,385
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    I pay mine over 12 months and just pay it either online or going into offices, I don't have a DD set up.
  • jewelz
    jewelz Posts: 16
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    Sorry, missed your link, I will look it up, thanks.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260
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    The requirement is that that they allow the 12 instalments on request - the payment method is not specified in legislation so there's nothing in them which mandates the council to specifically dictate the payment method.

    If they're mandating a payment option then they're adding an extra criteria which isn't specified in law - there's nothing within the regulations which allows them to add extra criteria.

    Craig
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • jewelz
    jewelz Posts: 16
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    That's brilliant, thank you. Have just rung back to be told that what she said was not true, I have now arranged payment over 12 months. Always good to query these things isn't it.
  • davidgmmafan
    davidgmmafan Posts: 1,459
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    I was hoping to discover the same thing with regards to my council. They have been getting a bit bolshy and now insist everything is done online but with no timescale provided for things like setting up a direct debit or processing an application for a discount.

    My suspicion is they will say something like we can't setup the direct debit as you haven't paid the April instalment (largely due to how long it has taken them to get back to me re the direct debit).

    Because they are being frankly irritating my plan B is to say very well, in that case I'll have the payments taken over 12 months. I think I maay have to point to the specific section of the law which allows this.

    On the back of my council tax bill it says you have the right to ask for the balance to be taken over 12 instalments, but it is my belif that the government changed the law so that this had to happen if you asked.

    Is there a specific Act that I can quote? I've had a look online but could only find vague references to 12 instalments.

    I can start my own thread if needed but it seemed to chime with this one...
    Mixed Martial Arts is the greatest sport known to mankind and anyone who says it is 'a bar room brawl' has never trained in it and has no idea what they are talking about.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,816
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    I cant see that it matters if DD or not,
    you are still paying 12 payments per year, one each month.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • davidgmmafan
    davidgmmafan Posts: 1,459
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    I found something at last.

    http://lgfa92.co.uk/council-tax-paying-over-12-instalments/

    Will quote this if they get awkward but you'd think they'd prefer direct debit rather than cash payments...
    Mixed Martial Arts is the greatest sport known to mankind and anyone who says it is 'a bar room brawl' has never trained in it and has no idea what they are talking about.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,816
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    I just reqest by email and always receive an acklodgement . I have to remember to requeat each year , if i dont it defaults back yo 10 month .
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
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