Council Tax: Documentation for Single Residency

So I didn't think about registering as a single occupant until I got my bill for 6 months worth of council tax.  I emailed a query in early February, they sent me a form in the post.  Today I got a letter saying that I will be billed as a single occupant from the date of the form receipt, but they don't credit bills in retrospect, for lack of proof. 

One of the last lines of the letter is that any requests to appeal must be accompanied by documentary evidence.  Do I send a copy of my lease and all my bills, showing mine as the only name?  A letter from my landlord?  How exactly do I prove that I've lived in my flat by myself of the last 6 months? 

Anyone been through this or otherwise have advice?

   TIA!

I would say a copy of your lease and a letter backing it up from the landlord.

I would say a copy of your lease and a letter backing it up from the landlord.

Thats a great idea, thanks DF.    I wish I had dealt with this a long time ago! 

but they don't credit bills in retrospect, for lack of proof

Which is pretty silly considering that when you send the form in to claim from the day of application they really don't ask for any "proof" beyond your statement that you are entitled to the discount. 

At least it sounds as though your council is a little open to documentary evidence for backdating.  Some (including my local council) are notoriously bad and practically refuse to backdate any claim outright unless you are prepared for a very long battle.

So for anyone else moving into a new home and living alone, I would say contact the council immediately and claim your 25% council tax discount to avoid any arguments about it later.

Our council has retrospectively given us a discount back when I was a student (so my DH had single person's discount)...try contacting them again?  They just re-adjusted what we owed based on the new discount figure and then worked out payments from there.

Which is pretty silly considering that when you send the form in to claim from the day of application they really don't ask for any "proof" beyond your statement that you are entitled to the discount. 

Exactly!

So for anyone else moving into a new home and living alone, I would say contact the council immediately and claim your 25% council tax discount to avoid any arguments about it later.

I heartly agree on both counts.

Our council has retrospectively given us a discount back when I was a student (so my DH had single person's discount)...try contacting them again?  They just re-adjusted what we owed based on the new discount figure and then worked out payments from there.

I'm going to take DFs advice and get a letter from my landlord, send a copy of my lease and maybe even a copy of my utility bills to see if it flies.  Worth a try! 

thanks folks