Torbay Council reviews single-person tax discounts

Torbay Council said the full review would take about four months

A review is making sure households in Torbay that receive a single person discount are paying the correct amount of council tax.

Torbay Council said there were 18,500 residents who qualified for the 25% discount who were not receiving council tax support or a working age council tax reduction.

It said a letter had been sent for those to complete an online form confirming if they were still entitled, or if there had been a change to the number of over-18s living at their home.

The council said the full review would take about four months, with all relevant households to receive their letters in the post by the end of October.

Failure to respond to the form would result in the discount being removed from bills dating back to 1 April, the council said.

Residents with the discount and who received council tax support or working age council tax reduction were not part of the review, officials said.

Alan Tyerman, cabinet member for housing and finance, said the review would help Torbay Council keep its records up to date and to ensure "households are being billed correctly".

He said: "It is important that everyone pays the correct amount of council tax so that we can provide vital services across the bay.

"Anyone who receives a letter as part of this review should complete the online form.

"You must complete the form whether your living situation has changed or not."