[Taf]

I think that any change to a bill should be announced beforehand, so you should still have received an updated council tax bill even if you pay by DD.

Our council rent is payable weekly, a week in advance. In the past, when we paid rent in cash on the doorstep, there were 3 weeks each year when we didn't make a payment: the first week in April, one week in August, and during Christmas. But most pay by Standing Order, so those payments are taken, leaving us 3 weeks in credit the following April. That means we have to claim that overpayment back. I just left the extra cash in the account so that the rent would be paid if we fell into financial difficulties. Moves were afoot to shift the payments to DD, but "covid happened", and those in charge of the changeover were no longer in post. DD would have meant 12 equal monthly payments, so no overpayments.

Anyhow, I had a call from the council last week. They were about to produce my Statement of Account for rent but had noticed a large credit amount. I told her that I leave the overpayment in the account as a buffer in case of emergencies.

"I can understand that idea," she said, "but it's VERY large credit amount."

It turns out that I had accidentally set the Standing Order £100 more per week than required, so the credit would pay for half a year's rent! The windfall refund will be in my account next week.