Questions About Openin a Bank Account (was: required

I'm dual US/UK, planning a move to the UK soon (leave Oct. 19).  I've seen a lot of info on the threads about how difficult it is to open a bank account.  But is it just has hard if you're a citizen already?

I'm also lost on the whole "council tax" issue.  Is it something that's usually included in rent?  If so, how do you show proof of paying it, say, if you're in a house share situation? (which is what I'll most likely be in)  I guess the same would go for showing a paid utilities bill if it's "included" in your rent.  Help?

To open a bank account you will need proof of address - your name on a council tax bill, utility bill, etc - UK or US citizen.

Council tax is not included in rent, generally.  You will need to get your name added to the council tax account and utilities if you want to show the original bills as proof it's been paid.  Or if you pay your flatmates I suppose you could ask them to give you a receipt.  But that's not going to suffice for opening a bank account or anything like that.

They need the proof of address to fulfill anti-money laundering regulations.

when I lived in a house share, I wasn't on any of the utilities- various other housemates were, and I just paid them my share of the bill.  The only "proof of address" I had when I lived there was my bank statement, which doesn't help if you need to open a bank account!  All that to say that if you're moving to an existing house share where everything's been set up, it may be a bit difficult to get proof of address.  If you can get your name on one of the utilities, do it!  And council tax too- although my authority only sends a bill once a year so that wouldn't have been much help in my case.

And council tax too- although my authority only sends a bill once a year so that wouldn't have been much help in my case.

But springhaze, surely they'd have sent a duplicate bill if asked?

But springhaze, surely they'd have sent a duplicate bill if asked?

Very possibly!  I never asked, so I don't know- but certainly worth a try if that turns out to be an issue.

If you still have your bank account in the US have them send a bank statement to you at your new UK address.  I was told that this could be used as my proof of address and I just opened my account a month ago! 

I had my US bank mail my statement to me here in the UK, but was told by the bank here that the account needed to show this address.  In other words, I would have to change the address account not just have it mailed.

Address verification for a bank account, I only have my NHS card which lists my address. Would that work?

Address verification for a bank account, I only have my NHS card which lists my address. Would that work?

It depends on how lenient your bank is.  You can always try, but in the meantime I'd get yourself added to the council tax.  Seriously, a council tax bill is like the golden ticket.

Good responses, all.  I really appreciate it.  Now to just figure out how to get myself added to the council tax!

PS - I currently do all my bill pay online....how do you prove something has been paid?

Usually you can print out a history of payments made.  What are you trying to prove something's been paid for?  I guess not a visa since you're a UK citizen. For the bank account, you just need to have your name on the account, you don't need to provide proof of payment.

Oh sorry, I was responding to someone saying that you had to prove that a bill (like the council tax or utilities) has been paid in order for it to be valid address proof to open a bank account.  Did I misunderstand this?

Oh sorry, I was responding to someone saying that you had to prove that a bill (like the council tax or utilities) has been paid in order for it to be valid address proof to open a bank account.  Did I misunderstand this?

No, I don't think you need to show anything's been paid.  It's just getting your name on the account and having it delivered to the current address that matters.  I received a new council tax statement at the start of the year that hadn't been paid and that's okay to use.

Ok, great!  Thanks for the help!

Our council will only list one name on the bill.  We tried when I moved in to get my name added, but they wouldn't.  Of course they charged us the full amount.