Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

sejintenej wrote:I had a neighbour whose daughter deliberately got herself pregnant because she was then entitled to a free council apartment. The council then put brand new furniture in it, provided the baby clothes, food .......... ad infinitum.

And where did the Council get the money to buy these things? From your rates, presumably.

Reminds of a day some years ago when I was a single working mother of two primary school children. A neighbour invited me over for a cuppa, and another neighbour and her husband joined us: he was working, but she was somehow claiming benefits. They decided that they would have pizza for dinner, but debated who should pay for it- he from his undeclared wages, or she from her benefits. She won. I became just a wee bit agitated and commented that, well then, I guess I was paying for it by way of my taxes.

I really hope that council taxes will be scrapped in the near future!
An increased income tax instead would be much more fair.
Btw what does band D equate to roughly?
My 'studio' is apparently band D, and i'd be paying around £1500 a year tax if I wasn't a student, which seems a horrendous amount, which I wouldn't be able to pay.

My 4-bed terraced house (not a big house) is a D. Studios are usually a B, D sounds a bit odd.

Well I am band E and pay £182 a month!

My 3-bed flat is band B ( which is a nice surprise...) - Ben, why not have your band checked ? Laura had her flat in L'pool reclassified from a C to a B .

It is a new building so probably just City Council being ignorant.
Should be moving [again ] in July so won't both checking as nothing to pay 'til then.

My 2 bed ex council maisonette is a C!

2 bed end of terrace council house, (shortly to become housing association), : Band D

my current 2 bed flat rented is C and new house C, its done on how much that property would have been back in the 198something and if it wasnt built its done on like properties.

But Ben if your a student you shouldnt be paying that!

Council Tax bands are based on house valuations from 1991.

http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/cti_home.htm

They are in the process of carrying out a revaluation though and if you've improved your home or have a nice view then you will be stuffed apparently! The valuers also will allegedly be permitted to enter your property forcibly.

Does a view directly into somebody else's home through a window count?

Only if she is a babe!

This has made me check. I am Band C (£1,214.56 p.a.). I get a discount for single occupancy - they don't count my menagerie. It's a semi-detached 1960's 3-bed house, end of row, three gardens (front, back, side).
But since 1991 I have added a conservatory and have 'poshed up' the bathroom. I suppose they would count as 'improvements'. Gulp.

kerrensimmonds wrote:This has made me check. I am Band C (£1,214.56 p.a.). I get a discount for single occupancy - they don't count my menagerie. It's a semi-detached 1960's 3-bed house, end of row, three gardens (front, back, side).
But since 1991 I have added a conservatory and have 'poshed up' the bathroom. I suppose they would count as 'improvements'. Gulp.

Don't forget you cleaned the windows and painted the hall ......
(and what about that insulation you put in the loft (or should have ...)

You bet!

Especially on those rare occasions when I am abroad. I feel extremely British and proud of it! (In a hotel in Florence, the breakfast tea consisted of a tea bag, a cup and a jug of water. The non-Brits poured water over the teabag in the cup. But we Brits added the teabag to the jug of water and put a plate on top to make a tea pot. Yes!)

But then, when visiting Wales and Scotland, I felt particularly English.

And when in Yorkshire, I felt that I was essentially a Southerner.

Visiting the West Country, lovely as it is, it felt very different to the Home Counties.

Living here in Kent, I know I am actually a Londoner.

Stepping off the train at Charing Cross, I feel that familiar buzz of being almost back where I belong - see the 137 bus go past - yes - proud to be a South Londoner. Take me home, Lord!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Munch