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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I am fuming…

183 replies

LinaLM · 21/04/2023 19:47

I am so infuriated with the cheekiness of the British councils and how they try to extract people’s money at every turn they can.

I have decided to leave the U.K. and move to my husbands country (Switzerland) with our baby. DH is moving shortly (within 6-9 months) waiting for a transfer. So I have now left the U.K. and starting a new job shortly, my baby is going to a nursery etc. So I have contacted the council where we live providing detailed explanation and asking to reduce the council tax to a single person occupancy (30% off). They came back to me literally saying that they do not believe the fact that I have now left and therefore will not remove my name from this address and therefore won’t reduce the council tax. I mean the AUDACITY! They just try to drag this on to extract as much money as they can from a paying resident. They even told me that if I’m not happy I can appeal. So this is ongoing. It’s like it’s not your bloody choice when people leave your council and you can’t bloody force them to say.

Another thing that recently just added to my desire to leave was the congestion charge discount. So we live in the zone so eligible to effectively not pay it since recently. BUT in order to apply for it you have to send tons of documents about me and the car. You have enough documents to bloody charge me that’s no problem but once I want to get my legitimate discount you just try to bury me under the paper load. I honestly can’t wait to get the hell out. It’s just been compounding for too long and now reached the point where I just hate being here.

Does anyone feel as frustrated with these complete morons?

OP posts:
SunshineGeorgie · 21/04/2023 19:50

So are you still in the U.K. or not?

Your post is not clear. But maybe calm down a bit

HappiestSleeping · 21/04/2023 19:53

I would probably reduce the payment and write back to say they can come and find you at your new address.

It is crippling the amount of time everything takes these days. And with all the modern technology "time savers" we should have more spare time, not less.

RoseslnTheHospital · 21/04/2023 19:53

Nope. You've described two issues. That wouldn't wind me up to this extent.

SupertiredDJ · 21/04/2023 19:55

Have you left? You said you had but then said "the council where we live". If you used the same language in your communication with them they might also be confused.
Your anger should be aimed at all the people who commit council tax fraud which causes the councils to be cautious.
It will be easy for you to appeal and win when you provide the proof that you travelled and are now resident elsewhere.

Elfandwellbeing · 21/04/2023 19:55

Calm down. Jeez. If you can afford this option, then you very fortunate.

Yorkshirelass04 · 21/04/2023 19:55

On the list of things that never happened, this is near the top.

GoodChat · 21/04/2023 19:56

Just give them proof of your new address and take yourself off the electoral roll.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 21/04/2023 19:57

If your communication with the local authorities is anything like it is on here then I would imagine that they are quite confused.

AppleKatie · 21/04/2023 19:57

I think you’ll find the off bit —truck load— of bureaucracy In Switzerland OP, this isn’t a uniquely British issue

MuffinToSeeHere · 21/04/2023 19:57

SupertiredDJ · 21/04/2023 19:55

Have you left? You said you had but then said "the council where we live". If you used the same language in your communication with them they might also be confused.
Your anger should be aimed at all the people who commit council tax fraud which causes the councils to be cautious.
It will be easy for you to appeal and win when you provide the proof that you travelled and are now resident elsewhere.

Exactly. I don't understand why you're so pissed off. Just appeal and show evidence you've left the country it's not difficult but they can't just take your word for it and of your husband still lives at the address and will do so for sometime then of course they are going to question why you're not living there too. Also I don't understand why it was left to you to sort out if you're no longer in the country surely it would make more sense for him to do it?

GoodChat · 21/04/2023 19:59

It might also help if he contacts them himself and tells them he's now living alone...

Greensleevevssnotnose · 21/04/2023 20:00

The Swiss system is complicated and the amount of tax you pay as an expat is ridiculous are you sure you are making the right move? Do you speak the language etc?

CordyLines · 21/04/2023 20:01

Forget about the council for a minute. How and why will you be in Switzerland for nine months while your husband is still in UK? Nothing wrong with that, just wondered.

He is Swiss, are you also deemed Swiss resident by marriage? Something from the Swiss authorities scanned and emailed to the council should be enough. Have you done that? You would need residency to work I think, is that right?

But I would have thought you would have to enter the country with your husband to gain automatic residency. Is THAT right?

Something is not adding up, but I may be making assumptions and you can correct me.

Coffeeandcards · 21/04/2023 20:02

It’s not a “detailed explanation” they need from you, it’s evidence. Have you provided that?

Sissynova · 21/04/2023 20:03

So you and your baby have moved to Switzerland alone, 9 months ahead of your husband? Sounds like quite a bizarre situation I’m not surprised the council don’t believe you. Particularly as the tense of your post is all over the place. ‘I have decided to leave the uk’
And one of the big reasons you moved is because you needed to prove your car ownership to the council for the congestion charge? Sounds like a very very unbalanced reaction.
Good luck in Switzerland. I’m sure there’ll be absolutely no bureaucracy there.

Tinkerbyebye · 21/04/2023 20:03

Just appeal and it’s 25% single discount not 30 but it will give you something else to rant about

Original poster
LinaLM · 21/04/2023 20:04

Ok some clarification - I have now left. My husband is still there for the time
being. They asked me to provide a new tenancy agreement at my new place (?) and asked if we are married. Clearly that was a trap because once I said yes, they used that as the basis to reject it. They said if you are married we basically don’t believe that you won’t be based here. I’ve explained that I start a new job and I have a baby with me at a crèche, so I am obviously not going to be based there but I don’t have to provide proof of where I live as there’s no reason why they should have these personal details about me. I am now applying for p85 and another form to effectively confirm to the tax authorities that I have left to send them but they are so taking the piss - it just blows my mind.

OP posts:
Quveas · 21/04/2023 20:04

Single person occupancy is 25% reduction, not 30%. And yes, obviously, councils should just stop billing people on their say so and without evidence.

And yes, they actually can force people to pay.

MuffinToSeeHere · 21/04/2023 20:08

LinaLM · 21/04/2023 20:04

Ok some clarification - I have now left. My husband is still there for the time
being. They asked me to provide a new tenancy agreement at my new place (?) and asked if we are married. Clearly that was a trap because once I said yes, they used that as the basis to reject it. They said if you are married we basically don’t believe that you won’t be based here. I’ve explained that I start a new job and I have a baby with me at a crèche, so I am obviously not going to be based there but I don’t have to provide proof of where I live as there’s no reason why they should have these personal details about me. I am now applying for p85 and another form to effectively confirm to the tax authorities that I have left to send them but they are so taking the piss - it just blows my mind.

Well if you're too stubborn to provide proof of course they won't apply the bloody discount.

Also charmed life your supposed 'D'H has if he's now got 9 fucking months living like a bachelor whilst you navigate a new country with a small baby and a new job with a new house etc all by yourself.

GoodChat · 21/04/2023 20:09

Of course you have to prove you no longer live there!

TeaAndTattoos · 21/04/2023 20:09

YABU and you need to calm down all they have done is ask for evidence that you have actually left because they could get into serious trouble if they just took your word for it so that you can get a reeducation and it turned out that you where swinging the lead and you where still in the uk. Just give them the evidence they have asked for it and it will all be sorted out no need for the armature dramatics and if you can afford to just up sticks and move to Switzerland then your not short on money and could afford to pay all the council tax without needing a reduction.

Sissynova · 21/04/2023 20:10

so I am obviously not going to be based there but I don’t have to provide proof of where I live as there’s no reason why they should have these personal details about me

Well you are expecting them to give you a financial discount on saying you’ve moved out but you willing to prove it so YABU and you’ll just have to pay the full amount until you decide to be more reasonable.

Original poster
LinaLM · 21/04/2023 20:10

25% discount that was a typo apologies. But frankly it’s not even about the money. It’s just the principle.

I sent evidence ie my exit stamp, and a letter of acceptance from crèche for my baby. I refuse to send my address, my work
contract etc. I spoke with a lawyer and he said I can do those forms I mentioned ie P85 etc. and send them as they are official. But he said it was over the top and clearly they don’t ask every resident to send these personal details and they just put more pressure on paying residents now because they are so stretched.

OP posts:
Paloma66 · 21/04/2023 20:11

You want them to reduce the payment but refuse to provide evidence that you're no longer living there? I'm glad they're asking for it. It's what they should be doing.

Toottooot · 21/04/2023 20:11

Settle doon min 💁🏻‍♀️