Do I pay council tax if I've never had a bill?

[ziggy42]

Hi,
I've recently moved into a newly renovated cottage in the grounds of a country house in Fife. It used to be an uninhabitable stable. The address of the cottage includes the address of the house (i.e. My Cottage, The Big House, Street, Town, Postcode). I've not had a council tax bill since I moved in 7 months ago, although the council knows I am here - I registered with them before I moved in and they collect our bins every week. My question is, whose responsibility is it to make sure that council tax is paid? Do I get in touch with the council to ask for a bill, or do I wait for them to get in touch with me? If they send me a bill further down the line, would it be back-dated to when I first registered (7 months ago) or would I just be paying from when they send the first bill? Also, since my address includes the name of the big house, and they're on the highest band, I think it's likely that the council tax that they pay includes me as well. I don't want to get in touch with the council if I don't need to.
I'd be very grateful for any responses to my rather confused questions. Maybe someone else has had a similar experience?
Thanks in advance.

[bednobs]

it's your responsibility, they will backdate it too

[Greedyfly]

Look on your local council website there will be a number to call. I cannot see why they wouldn't have sent you a bill by now but I am sure they will expect you to pay what you owe.

It is up to you to change your details (as you have) and to pay regular.

[jackthehat]

........unless The Big House are paying your portion of the Council Tax........in which case once, they realise this, 'they' will be the ones approaching you for reimbursement.

Are you renting, or do you own the property ?

[mike11111]

When they eventually catch up with you it will be from the date you first registered. This happened to me. If you are not going to contact them first I would suggest putting the equivalent council tax away each month as the longer you wait, the bigger the bill will be in the end.

[ziggy42]

I kind of own the cottage - it's my parents in the big house, and I am effectively the owner of the cottage. My dad thinks we should keep quiet about it.

[Greedyfly]

They always catch up with you in the end. Believe me.

[buildersmate]

The rules on the 'includes the name of Big House' bit are quite clear (In England) - your property should be assessed separately for council tax purposes if you have a separate front door to the main property (and you clearly do). The same applies to Granny annexes that are physically attached to the main house.
No idea if Scotland is any different but I can't see why it should be.

[ziggy42]

Yeah - I think it's looking like I'll have to phone the council - I was just wondering if there might be some kind of loophole. Thanks for all the input.

[merciasounds]

I would check if i were you, as there are lots of laws different in Scotland.

[ziggy42]

Thanks very much for all the answers - going to come clean to the council.

[themas]

"moved into a newly renovated cottage" "It used to be an uninhabitable stable"

Seems to me that you are the first occupant (other than the horses!). Council therefore needs to do an assessment to place the property into the correct CT band. Once you contact them (& don't delay) they should get on with this.

[Old_Geezer]

In which case, quick, make it uninhabitable again :-)

[ziggy42]

Yeah, maybe move some horses back in!

[bushbaby_de]

Sounds to me like there is no planning permission for this cottage to be used as a dwelling, otherwise the valuations people would have been on to you pretty sharpish to assess the property for Council Tax purposes. They can and will backdate it and you do need your own bill, so contact the Valuations Office pronto.

If you don't have planning permission you will need to sort this out too.

Who exactly did you register with at the Council?

[lardhelmet]

Bushbaby - your avatar's nice. Makes we want to go for a paddle. Where was it taken?

[bushbaby_de]

Its Meeru in the Maldives, I took the photo on honeymoon last year :)

[ziggy42]

Yeah, we did get planning permission to build a dwelling, and I told the council there was a new house - they gave us an address and bins. The bin men come and collect our rubbish (up quite a long driveway - we're off the beaten track) so they definitely know we live here! We've also had someone come and check everything in minute detail to make sure that the houses are habitable (don't know if that was someone from the council). That's really why I was asking, as I thought they would have already been in touch to ask for money, rather than me having to tell them I want to pay them. Thanks for all the replies - much appreciated.

[ziggy42]

(not sure exactly who I registered with at the council, but I'm pretty sure I did everything I was meant to do)

[lardhelmet]

Thanks bush - it looks lovely

[bushbaby_de]

Hi ziggy, in that case just give the Valuations Office a ring, they may just have a back log in visiting new dwellings. They will definitely back date so put some money aside each month!