council tax - summons/dependants

[tali122]

how many missed payments are allowed before a magistrates summons is issued for council tax payment?
ive had 3 reminders and paid immediately but now ive recieved a summons - but i didnt miss the last payment.
Although it is based mainly on gross income will i get a discount because of 4 children(dependants) under 16 as opposed to a couple with ,say, no children?
thx

[andy hughes]

First -

The 'reminder' and 'summons' proceedures are automatically generatd by computer. Your Council probably operates a 'three strikes and you're summonsed' approach - but you can avoid that if you advise them of intention to pay, and stick to it.

Second -

You need to ring them up and chat about any discount you may be entitled to - don't worry about being a late payer - this is bearocracy - the people on the end of the phone couldn't care less if you pay on time, late, or never - it's not their money!

[Buenchico]

Andy has correctly answered the first part of your question.

I'm not too sure whether the second part refers to your annual council tax bill or the amount which the court will require. I'll have a go at providing an answer:

The full council tax bill for your property is determined solely by which 'band' it falls into. e.g. a one-bedroom flat is in Band A. A mansion is in Band H. The higher the band, the bigger the bill. The bands are actually based upon a theoretical valuation of the property at 1991 prices. Details of the bands are here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/Begin nersGuideToTax/BeginnersGuideToTaxArticles/fs/en?CONTENT _ID=10015038&chk=ohp%2B/g

When it comes to discounts, you automatically get 25% knocked off the full bill if there is only one adult living in the house. ('Automatically', here, assumes, of course, that the local council have been informed that there's only one adult in the property!).

[Buenchico]

(Second part of post):

If you're on a low income (and your savings are less than �16000) then you can get some (or even all) of your council tax paid for you. The rules are complicated but the details are here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/council_tax_ben efit.asp#what
This quote, from that site, indicates the factors which determine how much benefit you can get:
"To work out your Council Tax Benefit, the council will look at:
* Money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions
* Your savings and your partner's savings
* Your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with you could help with the rent.

The most Council Tax Benefit you can get is the full council tax you have to pay."

The golden rule, when it comes to Council Tax benefit, is "If in doubt, apply!".

If you're paying your Council Tax monthly and you fail to meet any payment deadline, your council have the right to demand the rest of the full year's payment as a lump sum. It's this figure that any court order will insist you pay (plus court costs on top). At this stage, your circumstances are not taken into account. (e.g. the fact that you have four children will not affect the court procedure).

I hope that this helps. If I've still not answered your question, please post again and I'll have another go!

Chris

[CheekyChops]

Definately ring them up. I was paying mine monthly by transerring the funds via internet banking. I was paying on the 25th of every month (pay day) without fail and started on the 25th April this year.

I had a couple of reminders for late payments, which included that phrase 'if you have paid within the last seven days, please ignore this reminder'. I always HAD paid in the last 7 days so ignored. The third one that came in September was a demand for full payment/withdrawal of the monthly payment option.

I phoned and advised that I paid without fail every month on the 25th. They said that because the 25th April payment was due 1st April but wasn't received until beginning of May, effectivly I was always a month in arrears, hence the reminders. They wanted me to pay double to catch up, I couldn't afford it. They offered me the option to pay monthly by direct debit, rather than me making a manual transfer. I accepted their offer and when asked what date of the month I would like the direct debit, was told that the 25th was fine. They said that if I signed the form quick and sent it back, it would go out the next month (25 Oct). I did but when I received the letter confirming the set up of the DD, it is to start from the 25 Nov!!

So despite the final demand received in September, I have had a month off payment and I am no longer in arrears! All that is happened is that my last 3 payments are for �10 more than usual. How does that work then???

[Gef]

Sorry to nit-pick Buenchico's excellent answer but the 25% discount is not automatic. When I moved into my current flat I informed the council by email and stated that I was the sole occupant. They sent a bill for the full amount. When I phoned they said that it is the Benefit's office (I'm not on benefit) which deals with discounts. I then had to phone the Benefit's office to request a form.