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Hello,
I moved properties on 15th July of this year. Two weeks before I moved, I informed the council at the desk (not in writing) of the date I was moving, my previous address and my new address. Two weeks after moving I received two bills; one for the old address for the period up to 24th July; and one for the new address for the period from the 15th July. Unfortunately at the time I did not notice the mistaken overlap of dates. I knew I had paid in full the council tax on the old address to the date I left (in fact was £2.13 in credit).
Stupidly I overlooked reminders for the incorrectly billed amount (since I knew I had paid in full) and had a court summons. At this point I panicked and paid the additional £25.14 but not the court fees. At this time I checked the bill and realised the mistake and informed the council of the incorrect bill. The council agreed to reduce the court fees from £85 to £27.27. This happened to be the amount that my account was now in credit, so they were able to bill me the amount without my agreement.
After lengthy discussions, they will not return the £27.27 to my account as they say I did not inform them of the date of my leaving the property. However, as I mentioned previously, I had informed them 2 weeks in advance. I went into the council and asked them if they had a record of this visit. They showed me a document (completed by them at the time of my visit) which clearly states my old address, my new address and the date I was due to be living at the new address from. However, they argue that it does not state the date I would be vacating my old address and will not return the £27.27 as I am liable for not informing them of this.
I am aware that the £27.27 is hardly worth fighting for, but I am not rich. I would happily have left the fees unpaid and let them chase me, but as they have taken it from my account, I now need to seek to recoup the money.
Is there anything I can do? They will no longer discuss the matter and suggest I make a complaint through their website. Of course I will do this, but am certain nothing will come of it.
Apologies for the ramble.
I moved properties on 15th July of this year. Two weeks before I moved, I informed the council at the desk (not in writing) of the date I was moving, my previous address and my new address. Two weeks after moving I received two bills; one for the old address for the period up to 24th July; and one for the new address for the period from the 15th July. Unfortunately at the time I did not notice the mistaken overlap of dates. I knew I had paid in full the council tax on the old address to the date I left (in fact was £2.13 in credit).
Stupidly I overlooked reminders for the incorrectly billed amount (since I knew I had paid in full) and had a court summons. At this point I panicked and paid the additional £25.14 but not the court fees. At this time I checked the bill and realised the mistake and informed the council of the incorrect bill. The council agreed to reduce the court fees from £85 to £27.27. This happened to be the amount that my account was now in credit, so they were able to bill me the amount without my agreement.
After lengthy discussions, they will not return the £27.27 to my account as they say I did not inform them of the date of my leaving the property. However, as I mentioned previously, I had informed them 2 weeks in advance. I went into the council and asked them if they had a record of this visit. They showed me a document (completed by them at the time of my visit) which clearly states my old address, my new address and the date I was due to be living at the new address from. However, they argue that it does not state the date I would be vacating my old address and will not return the £27.27 as I am liable for not informing them of this.
I am aware that the £27.27 is hardly worth fighting for, but I am not rich. I would happily have left the fees unpaid and let them chase me, but as they have taken it from my account, I now need to seek to recoup the money.
Is there anything I can do? They will no longer discuss the matter and suggest I make a complaint through their website. Of course I will do this, but am certain nothing will come of it.
Apologies for the ramble.
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