Some addresses in Dundee owe tens of thousands of pounds in council tax, it has been revealed.
The tenants of one property in the city have racked up council tax debts of more than £37,000 alone.
A Freedom of Information request from The Courier has also revealed the top 20 postcode areas where residents collectively owe the most council tax to the local authority.
Only the first five digits of each postcode are revealed in the data to protect the identities of individuals.
Five individual Dundee addresses in most council tax debt
The highest amount owed by tenants of a single property in the city is £37,061.19.
The property is in the DD1 3D postcode area, which includes parts of the city centre and City Quay.
The top five amounts owed by individual addresses in Dundee are:
- DD1 3D (city centre/City Quay) – £37,061.19
- DD4 7G (West Ferry/Gardyne/Mayfield Grove) – £29,969.43
- DD4 0L (Whitfield) – £28,419.09
- DD4 7H (Baxter Park/Craigiebank) – £27,961.89
- DD5 3B (Broughty Ferry) – £26,794.03
List of top 20 postcodes where most council tax collectively owed
Meanwhile, residents in the DD2 3E* postcode area – which covers parts of west Lochee and Dryburgh – owe the most council tax collectively, at £188,038.71.
The full list of postcode areas that collectively owe the most council tax is as follows:
- DD2 3E (Lochee/Dryburgh) – £188,038.71
- DD4 0H (Whitfield) – £160,297.72
- DD4 9Q (Fintry) – £159,366.97
- DD4 8P (Douglas) – £138,833.79
- DD4 9E (Fintry) – £132,625.03
- DD4 7G (West Ferry/Gardyne/Mayfield Grove) – £130,781.93
- DD2 3E (Lochee/Dryburgh) – £129,728.46
- DD2 3G (Beechwood/Ardler) – £121,050.60
- DD4 9Q (Fintry) – £116,275.10
- DD2 3H (Lochee/Dryburgh/Ardler) – £112,073.86
- DD3 6Q (Coldside/Law) – £106,609.31
- DD3 6P (Douglas) – £106,368.95
- DD2 3S (Dryburgh/Ardler) – £105,523.64
- DD4 0X (Whitfield) – £104,733.07
- DD4 8Q (Douglas) – £103,771.62
- DD3 0E (Kirkton) – £102,988.35
- DD1 5P (Blackness) – £100,270.84
- DD2 3U (Dryburgh/Ardler) – £100,145.78
Council tax makes up nearly a fifth of the local authority’s income and is used to help run various services.
Some residents are entitled to discounts on what they pay.
What happens if you end up in council tax debt?
Dundee City Council says it offers a range of ways to catch up on council tax debt, such as repayment plans, maximisation of income and independent money advice.
If anyone ends up in council tax debt, the local authority will issue reminder letters.
If the council tax arrears are not paid after two reminder letters, the council can:
- Add 10% to the amount owed
- Stop you being able to pay council tax in instalments
- Ask a sheriff officer to take the money owed from a person’s earnings or bank account
Council ‘understands financial pressures’ people are facing
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “We understand the financial pressures individuals and families may be facing.
“We regularly work with debtors in order to establish an affordable repayment arrangement to receive any monies owed.
“The council recognises that coping with debt can be extremely stressful and can have serious effects on the lives of individuals and families.
“Anyone concerned about paying their council tax can contact customer services on 01382 431205.”
Data for other areas:
Conversation