Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Hi all,

Ok, so I know this may sound like a cheeky idea but thought I'd see if anyone else has ever thought this and acted on it.

I would pay my Council Tax monthly, over 10 monthly installments. I left the UK 4 months into the 2009-10 tax year, so I paid 4 of these installments. So I paid 40% of the Council Tax for the year, but lived there for 33.3% of the year, so I have overpaid?

Does this make any sense? If so, your thoughts?

Thanks,

James

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Have you contacted the council and asked? Did you sell the house? If not you may have to pay the full amount. I get a 5% reduction off my council tax because my house is empty for most of the year...it varies from council to council.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

My local council tax dept in the UK has an email address -I've been soughting out my affairs using this route. I must say that I'm amazed at my (former) council's speedy responses.

You can probably do the same with your water/sewerage provider as well.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

when we moved out we couldnt stop paying council tax til the first renters moved in. We got any overpayment back then.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Same for me, although if the house is being rented unfurnished, then may be some money due back for the vacant period. (Presence of furniture = not vacant in the eyes of the council.)

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

I think you should pay double.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

:blink::confused::blink:

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Leaving houses empty. It's not good for a small island with a housing shortage.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

I guess you may not be familiar with UK rental laws, which are almost entirely skewed against landlords. It is completely unrealistic to try and rent out property on a short term basis, unless said property is suitable as a holiday let. Even then it may be too difficult to deal with this as an expat.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Strangely enough, I've never owned a house in Blighty.

Principle holds though: if everyone wanted to keep a house spare in Blighty, there are an awful lot of empty properties taking up space. I have no objection to folks owning a spare home in North Dakota. Just seems a little selfish on a densely-crowded island.

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

lol, can't pick a proper fight anywhere this week!

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

I would if I had to and it would be worth it to have a house back home. :p

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Hi all,

So some good news (for me at least!). I emailed the council yesterday and they are going to wire me a £187 rebate for overpaying my council tax. This is because I would pay my yearly rate over 10 months, so for the 4 months I paid I overpaid. The funny thing is, I didn't even think of this until the council sent me a letter chasing payment! I had to also email them evidence that I had informed them of my move 2 months back. They admitted they had made the error and hadn't updated their records. It's not often you get such cooperation from the council!!

James

Re: Council Tax - overpayment?
 

Pssh - English rental laws are pretty fair. If you want to see skewed rental laws, you should visit NYC.