[Brigitte McFarlane]

Hi everyone,
We have sold a property for unpaid rates and charges recently. We have been contacted by the daughter of the owner and have been provided with authorisation to discuss the accounts with the daughter. In order to pay the remaining money to the owner should we be asking for any particular ID and/or forms to be signed? Any help would be great.
thanks
Brigitte
02 60238128 or via bmcfarlane@alburycity.nsw.gov.au

[Ron Peters]

Hi Brigitte

We think the answer depends on whether the remaining money is intended to be paid to the daughter or the owner.

If it is intended to be paid to the owner, then we believe the usual ID that Council requires to share confidential information with the authorised representative of a ratepayer would apply.

If the remaining money is intended to be paid to the daughter, we recommend the following two actions, plus seeking an opinion from Council’s legal advisors, before releasing the funds:
1 – The authorisation by the owner needs to be formal declaration, perhaps a Statutory Declaration under the Oaths Act, which explicitly authorises payment to the daughter.
2 – At least 100 points of ID from the daughter.

FYI: DHS have a form to nominate a payee for centrelink payments here if it helps https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/ss313

We hope this helps a little?

Richard McLean
0434 222032

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