Hello RPs,
Council took legal action against a ratepayer for overdue rates on three assessments. Following the SLC which comprised the rates and water overdue on all three assessments, a Court Instalment Order was eventually made for (a hopelessly inadequate) $150 per week. The ratepayer set up weekly electronic payments via Macquarie Banks DEFT payment system of $150 to ONLY ONE of the assessments. The amount paid so far now surpasses the amount claimed on the SLC for that one assessment, but no payments have been directed to the other two assessments. As the ratepayer is using the unique payment reference number to direct his payments to one specific assessment, I don’t believe Council can transfer those payments across to another assessment without the ratepayer’s authority. Technically, he is complying with the CIO. I’ve asked our debt recovery agency to write to the ratepayer to clarify the situation, but he is a bit of a “phantom” and I very much doubt he will respond. Is there anything else I can consider if no response is forthcoming from the ratepayer?
Thanks, Ann
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