Council apologises after ‘technical error’ means January rent payment will be taken early
A North Yorkshire council will be taking January rent payments several days before they are due because of a ‘technical error’.
Selby District Council says the direct debit payments will be taken from tenants’ accounts this Wednesday, 28 December – when they are not due till 1 or 2 January.
The early bill could cause difficulties to those whose salary is paid on the first of the month.
In a statement shared on social media, Selby District Council said: “If you are due to pay your housing rent by direct debit on the 1st or 2nd of January 2023.
“Unfortunately, there has been a technical error which will result in the payment being taken from your bank account on Wednesday 28 December instead of next month.
“We sincerely apologise for this error and any inconvenience this may cause you. If you experience any financial fines or charges due to this error, please contact us when we re-open on Tuesday 3 January and we will provide support to you.”
They made clear this did not apply to council tax payments.
The revelation caused concern. One resident Tweeted: “I’m sure most of your vulnerable customers won’t see this. If a rent payment defaults will this show in their credit file!”
Another said: “This may likely leave people in financial difficulties or with no money over a period when you are not there to do anything about it. Surely it can be rectified.”
And a third added: “This is not going to affect me but I can only begin to imagine the stress and anxiety this will cause many people. There must be a way that it can be sorted out!”
Selby District Council’s phone lines are now closed and will reopen on Tuesday 3 January, but residents can access some services on the council website.
The council’s ‘out of hours’ emergency helpline is open to deal with issues such as urgent repairs or homelessness support – call 01653 600941.
The council should pay any charges that the person is hit with because they have taken the money early, whether it’s overdraft fees or something else. The only way they could reduce this is by not taking the payments earlier than they are supposed too. Some of the rent payments might be declined which is the councils fault because they are trying to take the payments early, there should be no letters sent out because of this as it’s the council’s fault to start with, the council should just try and take a payment at a later date.
Pays off another CEO and then renders its tenants unto poverty for the new year. I expected it to be York. At least it’s being disbanded but it will probably get worse not better.