Clampdown on council tax singles discount

Rochdale Council has has carried out a review of the 32,000 households currently receiving a 25% council discount for only having one adult living there.

The review, conducted in conjunction with an external agency, has highlighted around 3,000 cases where a discount might be being claimed when it shouldn’t be.

Councillor Greg Couzens, cabinet member for finance on Rochdale Council, said: “If your circumstances change – for example if someone else moves into your house – it’s your responsibility to let us know. In many cases it can simply be an oversight, but there could be people who are deliberately attempting to defraud the council. Our officers will be looking at every case where a discrepancy has been highlighted by the residency check and verifying exactly what the current occupancy status is.”

Local authorities have the power to impose back charges for fraudulently claimed discounts and in some cases people who have deliberately lied so that they can claim a discount could face legal action. It is the responsibility of the resident to apply for the discounts in the first place and to notify the council of any changes to their circumstances.

Councillor Couzens added: “The council has a legal and social responsibility to ensure that it collects all the council tax due in order that everyone gets best value. No one who is rightly eligible for discounts will lose them and the majority of people will not be affected. We can impose a penalty on those who have claimed discount incorrectly, but we’d much rather you get in touch as soon as your circumstances change to tell us.”

If you are in receipt of a discount and have not yet informed the council about your change in circumstances, you are encouraged to do so now by calling 0845 121 2970.

Alternatively, if you think that you may be entitled to a discount which you are not receiving, please refer to the booklet sent with your bill or call 0845 121 2970 for advice.