Forum Topic

Council tax

Is it still possible to pay by standing order. I can't find LBH's bank details on our council tax demand. Any ideas ?  Thanks

Pat Kingham ● 3229d18 Comments

Just called CTax & arranged it when I eventually got through.

Roger Foreman ● 3092d

"How did you arrange that Roger?  The DD is over 10 months."Can you pay by cheque in 12 instalments?

Steve Taylor ● 3093d

How did you arrange that Roger?  The DD is over 10 months.What about water rates?  It didn't matter when they were a few £ but now it is a huge bill, and over 8 months.

Sarah Felstead ● 3093d

The Council staff need to wake up!You ARE legally entitled under legislation to pay Council Tax over 12 months - I certainly do!

Roger Foreman ● 3093d

I do not understand why there is any reason to make us pay the Tax over 10 months and the water rates over 8.  All income is paid in monthly amounts now, even benefits and pensions.  Budgeting for these huge sums is difficult enough.  If the idea is to give a break over Christmas then I think we should be asked when we would like the break as we all might chose different times of the year.There are lots 'of mopping up' jobs that need to be looked at we just need out politicians to realise that it is about time they work together to sort them all out.  This is one of these.

Sarah Felstead ● 3093d

Bringing this thread back to the fore.  I remember when Council Tax was paid over a 12 month period.  Not any more and if you tell the Council 'officers' this they deny all knowledge.  As to not having to pay through the January-March months and the supposed 'holiday', well, we still have to pay in the January AFTER the Xmas period where, very likely, we have overspent.  Add to this, we are paying in advance, consistently throughout the year, for services for the 2 months of February and March thereby building up a credit.  Recognition of this 'credit' by the Council - nowhere to be seen!!!!!!!  Also remember that this is a Demand not an actual invoice so contractually, you are not obliged to pay under Common Law.

Eileen Henderson ● 3093d

I pay for my water every month. It's metered. Cost went down this year.

Susan Kelly ● 3227d

If you have the free water meter fitted you can pay your water rates over 12 months

Steve Taylor ● 3227d

Wow!  Maybe it's a secret?  Why would you have to ask to pay over 12 months for a yearly levy? Water rates are even worse as they are over 8 months to a profit making organisation.

Sarah Felstead ● 3227d

Have you asked the Council whether you can pay over twelve months? Apparently some Councils allow this - I don't know about Hounslow.

Anne England ● 3227d

I find it nice to have a couple of months off.

Susan Kelly ● 3227d

Thank you for that John.  It has saved me having to hang on the phone line for ages.

Pat Kingham ● 3227d

"that we were allowed to pay them over 12 instalments."Alththough I believe a lot of people welcome the fact that there are no payments necessary for January and February after the Christmas madness

Steve Taylor ● 3227d

LBH still won't accept visa electron

Gill Hutchison ● 3227d

It is about time, with all this modern technology, direct banking and huge Council tax/ water bills, that we were allowed to pay them over 12 instalments.

Sarah Felstead ● 3228d

From LBHI can confirm that the bank details going forward will be included on the Bill.  Unfortunately, in the drive to push people to self-serve and to pay by direct debit the bank details were omitted from the back of the bill.  I will also speak with the web team to ask if the information can be added to the web site. The bank details to set up a standing order are: Sort Code: 60-11-18Account No: 20364814   

John Todd ● 3228d

It is perfectly possible to set up a standing order for nine months and pay the first instalment on line. I just don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my own account.

Pat Kingham ● 3228d

As opposed to Direct Debit? Trouble is that the first payment is slightly different from the next nine and then there are two months when you don't pay at all, so standing order doesn't really work.Direct debit is perfectly safe.

Susan Kelly ● 3229d