A WOMAN received a court summons out of the blue after being overcharged for council tax due to an admin error.

Legha Grady moved into a two-bedroom flat conversion in Hatherley Road, Walthamstow in October.

She contacted Waltham Forest Council to notify them she had moved in and was sent a bill for £1,299.58 – a band D council tax charge for the whole property.

When she told the council she was only living in part of the house, she was informed that the authority was unaware the property had been divided.

She was then notified that her flat would have to be assessed to decide how much she would be charged.

In the meantime, she paid £81.25 for the next two months.

She was then shocked to receive a summons to attend Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court on Monday (January 18) for non-payment.

The summons said she had to pay £745.75 immediately, including £110 court costs.

The 36-year-old said: “The whole thing has been very stressful.

“I'm not happy with the way I've been treated because I paid my bills and to then be sent a court summons is so unfair.”

Ms Grady complained to the council earlier this week and has since been informed the summons has been withdrawn.

A council spokesman said the situation was caused by an “administrative error” and said he was unable to confirm why the council wasn't aware the property had been split.

He also said Ms Grady has been advised to set some money aside for her council tax each month until the property is valued and re-banded.

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