DIRECT DEBIT SERVICE AGREEMENT
This document outlines our service commitment, in respect of the Direct Debit Request arrangements made between Hornsby Shire Council (Council) User ID 185532 and the account holder. It sets out Council’s and the account holder’s rights and responsibilities.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Initial Terms of the Arrangement
In terms of the Direct Debit Service agreement made between Council and signed by the account holder, the first drawing under this Direct Debit arrangement will occur on the next due date after we receive the DDR request form and confirm the details.
Debtor Account
The account will be debited with the full month’s charges each month as per your agreement.
Debtor Account drawings are processed on or after the 3rd last business day of the month.
We will give you at least 14 days’ notice in writing when changes to the initial terms of the Service Agreement are made.
Rates Account
Annually - the account will be debited with the full annual amount on your Rates Notice, on 31 August.
Quarterly - the account will be debited with the instalment amounts as set out on your Rates Notice, on 31 August, 30 November, 28 February, 31 May.
Scheduled - Council will recalculate your payment amount annually to ensure your rates are paid by the end of financial year. The Direct Debit payments are automatically adjusted each financial year to accommodate any changes in the value of your rates charges. Council will contact you if any adjustments are required.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO US
It is the account holder’s responsibility to ensure that:
the nominated account can accept direct debits (your financial institution can confirm this)
on the drawing date there is sufficient cleared funds in the nominated account
they advise us if the nominated account is transferred or closed
the bank account details for the direct debit authority can only be nominated by the account holder or the authorised person on the bank account.
If your drawing is dishonoured by your financial institution, we will notify you requesting that payment be made by some other method. The direct debit drawings will continue from the next scheduled debit. A dishonour fee will be applied to your account as per Council’s Fee’s & Charges. A fee may also be charged by your own financial institution.
CHANGES TO THE ARRANGEMENTS
If you want to make changes to the drawing arrangements, then contact us in writing at accounts@hornsby.nsw.gov.au or by post to Finance Branch – Revenue Team, Hornsby Shire Council, PO Box 37 HORNSBY NSW 1630.
These changes may include but not limited to:
DIRECT DEBIT SERVICE AGREEMENT
All personal customer information held by Council will be kept confidential in accordance with Councils Privacy Management Plan. Only the information required to process the drawing on the nominated account will be provided to the financial institution.
ENQUIRIES /DISPUTES
Please direct all enquiries/disputes to Council’s Revenue Team on 9847 6777 (8.30 am to 5.00 pm, Mon-Fri) or in writing at accounts@hornsby.nsw.gov.au rather than to your financial institution, at least two weeks prior to the next scheduled drawing date. All communication to us should include your Debtor or Rates Property Reference Number.
If you do not receive a satisfactory response from Council regarding your enquiry/dispute, contact your financial institution.
Note: Your financial institution will ask you to contact us to resolve your disputed prior to involving them.