Call for Housing Associations to Collect Council Tax

A West Midlands-based housing association says it’s worth exploring the idea of social landlords collecting council tax on behalf of local authorities as a result of the Government’s reform of the council tax benefit system.  This has seen local authorities consult on schemes requiring all working age residents who qualify for council tax support to pay a minimum contribution to their council tax.  Councils have raised concern over the aggressive timescales for implementation, the challenge of prioritising support and fear low collection rates.  Helen Shields who is business manager at Bromford Support's Moneymates service said there is scope for registered providers to offer and charge local authorities for a service collecting council tax and for the two to work a lot closer on rent and housing support. She said the idea would especially apply to LSVTs whose stock is condensed into one local authority area.  Read more on 24dash.