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Original poster

Council tax £307.01 for the whole year, what the?

27 replies

CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:07

I've just moved into a property in a new area and set up my council tax account. It's band C.

When I received my first bill it stated that the bill for the year is £1637 minus £409 (single persons discount) so the total amount for the year = £1228.04

I had an update on my CT account this afternoon and they have changed the yearly bill from £1228.04 to £307.01 which has surprised and confused me in equal measure. My next bill has gone from £140 to £35

I'm a single parent to a disabled child - is that the reason or has somebody made a massive error on their side? By the time I read the email it was too late to call, but I will tomorrow.

I've just been through the rigmarole of switching my universal credit to this address and had to complete an additional form to prove why my DC needs his own bedroom which they've agreed on and signed off, so might that be the reason?

Any input welcome.

OP posts:
pastabest · 16/05/2023 19:08

Every council does it differently - but they should publish rates on their website of what discounts you get for what.

Valhalla17 · 16/05/2023 19:12

I would call them to check. The last thing you need is for them to realise they were wrong a year later and you find yourself being hassled by them for non-payment...

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:21

I'm looking on the councils website now and it's all a bit confusing.

It states there are certain discounts for people who qualify such as being a carer, being a single person, being severely mentally impaired (which DS is)

It just doesn't give the figures and numbers.

I'll definitely give them a call tomorrow. Definitely don't want them to decide 12 months down the line that I owe them £1,000+

OP posts:
ThomasWasTortured · 16/05/2023 19:25

Is DS an adult? If not you being a carer to him and SMI aren’t relevant. You can only be disregarded for being a carer if you are caring for someone you live with who is over 18 and not your spouse/partner. And if DS is a child the SMI disregard is irrelevant as he isn’t eligible to pay council tax anyway.

doozledog · 16/05/2023 19:25

That's never right my friend is on universal credit and pays way more than that

crowsfeet57 · 16/05/2023 19:28

Have you been awarded council Tax Reduction?

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:34

I have been awarded council tax reduction yes, although only on the grounds that I'm a single person. Any other discounts were not mentioned and no other discounts visible on the initial bill.

DS is 5 and receives the highest rate of DLA, even so, this definitely doesn't seem right.

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 16/05/2023 19:35

£307 is the single person discount. Do you think they meant to take that off the bill but only charged the reduction by mistake?

CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:41

I'm thinking it's a technical issue / glitch as the website wasn't loading earlier on when I was on there looking for something else. People have been having problems with their phone network today too.

OP posts:
AtlasSeven · 16/05/2023 19:44

I’d definitely call them tomorrow to ask them about this.
It looks too good to be true, and if they’ve made a mistake, the sooner it’s sorted out the better.

AtlasSeven · 16/05/2023 19:45

@CTQ I think there’s an account number visible on the top of that photo.

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:46

AtlasSeven · 16/05/2023 19:45

@CTQ I think there’s an account number visible on the top of that photo.

Gosh, well spotted! I'll ask MNHQ to remove thanks

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 16/05/2023 19:47

They look at the amount of UC you are receiving. If you have no earnings and are solely reliant on benefits/ UC then it could be correct. have you put in a claim for council tax support ? I think the council then look at your Uc award.

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 19:53

No earnings, entirely reliant on UC (hopefully not for much longer)

I applied for the single persons discount but that's all as I wasn't aware of any disability discounts.

I had a nightmare with universal credit approving the housing element and that took almost a month, it's possible they've looked at my CT account again in light of the (finally) awarded housing element I guess but even so the £0 has got to be a mistake.

OP posts:
waffleyversatile1 · 16/05/2023 19:56

Hi op. When did you move into the property.

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 20:21

waffleyversatile1 · 16/05/2023 19:56

Hi op. When did you move into the property.

17th of April

OP posts:
toomanyhobbies · 16/05/2023 20:28

Councils are sent notifications of people’s UC awards and this in turn acts as an application for Council tax reduction/support - this is separate from the single person discount and the SMI exemptions.

Council tax support is like housing benefit and is based on a persons household make up and income. The fact that you are only getting UC would mean that you would be entitled to some Council tax support. It should show on your bill as a credit.

When you UC changes your council tax support will be recalculated and your bill updated so what you pay can go up and down over the year.

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 21:13

toomanyhobbies · 16/05/2023 20:28

Councils are sent notifications of people’s UC awards and this in turn acts as an application for Council tax reduction/support - this is separate from the single person discount and the SMI exemptions.

Council tax support is like housing benefit and is based on a persons household make up and income. The fact that you are only getting UC would mean that you would be entitled to some Council tax support. It should show on your bill as a credit.

When you UC changes your council tax support will be recalculated and your bill updated so what you pay can go up and down over the year.

Ah thank you for explaining, that makes alot of sense.

Have you ever heard of somebody having to pay no council tax whatsoever? I can't fathom it, even though I am entirely reliant on UC and have a disabled child, many are in the same position and still have to pay CT. I'm absolutely baffled.

I'll update the thread after I've spoken to them tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 21:14

It's gone back to £307 now, I wish it would make up its mind 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 21:18

You were right TMH, I've just seen that an updated bill is available on my account and the breakdown on the new bill highlights a council tax support award. That is a very welcome help. I didn't even know such a thing existed.

OP posts:
wetpebbles · 16/05/2023 21:18

The government are distributing grants of £10million to councils to help those more vulnerable, I just typed in "government help with council tax" that might have been passed in to you through a reduction in your bill?

Original poster
CTQ · 16/05/2023 22:08

wetpebbles · 16/05/2023 21:18

The government are distributing grants of £10million to councils to help those more vulnerable, I just typed in "government help with council tax" that might have been passed in to you through a reduction in your bill?

That's so heartening to hear, yes this may well be what is happening for me. I'm very thankful. Until I'm able to return to work (6-12 months) the £130 pcm council tax would have put me on the brink of poverty.

OP posts:
Fibonacci13 · 16/05/2023 22:20

Good I'm glad it will help :)

Lizzt2007 · 16/05/2023 22:24

If you're currently unable to work and receiving full uc then you are entitled to council tax / possible housing benefit as well. So yes I expect the figures are correct.

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