Council Tax Direct Debit Confusion

[Earlybird]

My council tax is paid via direct debit, and I have noticed that the amount charged per month has gone up 30% since January. I don't appear to have been charged in Feb or March, but back in December was charged 3x the normal amount. Can they do that? Anyone experience the same?

Presume I must contact the council to ask for an explanation, but I don't relish getting into the inevitable mire of red tape.....Suggestions appeciated.

Depends on the original wording on the direct debit mandate.

Most have a clause stating that the amount to be charged is 'variable' so they can alter the amount, but they are supposed to give you 14 days written notice of any change.

Check all your statements since last April and see how much you have paid in total before speaking to them, to clarify if they missed any previous amounts and were catching up.

Think a dd for Council tax is usually only spread over 10 months, but would have expected them to be the same.