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My son and his partner moved into a rented flat earlier this year and to start, they received council tax benefit. Shortly afterwards, they both secured jobs abroad for a period of 6 months and decided to keep the flat on during their time away. My son's partner visited the local council office to give them all the details and to check if they owed any money before they left. She had also signed off jsa at the same time. The council told her there was nothing to pay and she also wrote to them giving details of their intention to work away.
To make sure they didnt fall foul of any amended council tax bills, she gave them her bank details and email address and asked them to notify her by email if there was anything to pay whilst they were away. She also had all their post redirected to me.
They have now been away for 4 months and are not due to return for 11 weeks.
2 days ago, a letter arrived stating they owed council tax benefit, and as nothing had so far been paid they had lost their right to pay by direct debit and had to pay the full amount for the year, otherwise it will go to court. This is the only letter received at my house from the council and they have not been in touch with my sons partner by email. I have spoken to the council who have agreed to discuss the issue with me, on receipt of and email from my sons partner, giving permission for them to do so.
These young people, who are in their first professional job, did everything they could to put their affairs in order before they left and as there has not been to my or their knowledge, any previous correspondence regarding any outstanding bill, i am hoping they will be able to sort this out when i ring the council this morning and what can i do if the council insist they have sent letters even though none have been received through redirecting the post.
Any advice would be most appreciated as this young couple are very upset to hear they may face court costs for something that has not been their fault and they have never been in debt in their life. I have also offered to pay on their behalf any money due up to the end of this month to enable a direct debit to be set up for the remainder of the council tax year.
To make sure they didnt fall foul of any amended council tax bills, she gave them her bank details and email address and asked them to notify her by email if there was anything to pay whilst they were away. She also had all their post redirected to me.
They have now been away for 4 months and are not due to return for 11 weeks.
2 days ago, a letter arrived stating they owed council tax benefit, and as nothing had so far been paid they had lost their right to pay by direct debit and had to pay the full amount for the year, otherwise it will go to court. This is the only letter received at my house from the council and they have not been in touch with my sons partner by email. I have spoken to the council who have agreed to discuss the issue with me, on receipt of and email from my sons partner, giving permission for them to do so.
These young people, who are in their first professional job, did everything they could to put their affairs in order before they left and as there has not been to my or their knowledge, any previous correspondence regarding any outstanding bill, i am hoping they will be able to sort this out when i ring the council this morning and what can i do if the council insist they have sent letters even though none have been received through redirecting the post.
Any advice would be most appreciated as this young couple are very upset to hear they may face court costs for something that has not been their fault and they have never been in debt in their life. I have also offered to pay on their behalf any money due up to the end of this month to enable a direct debit to be set up for the remainder of the council tax year.
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