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.

[jno]

no reason why you shouldn't put the money aside in an interest-bearing account; then you'll get the interest instead of them

[ziggy42]

Thanks for all your input, Very helpful. I've now declared our house to the council (think they were just being slow). I'm actually a student, so shouldn't have to pay, although the cottage next door will unfortunately (there is another newly renovated cottage next door as well).. Thanks again everyone.