Council Tax Query

[buffymad]

I currently have the single occupancy discount on my council tax. My boyfriend doesn't live here but is here most of the time. He's otherwise at his parents as he gave up his own place. All post goes to his parents. There was some mix up with council arrears from his old place in that he and his dad have the same name and his dad ended up paying his arrears! Anyhow, this led to his dad telling the council boyfriend lives with me. Not strictly true as I've not asked him to move in and all he gives me money for is food (my choice).

So my question is, should I be paying full council tax even though he doesn't officially live here?

[murraymints]

only if your address is his normal domicilliary address I think...where is he registered to vote from ? the council will look there probably...

[TWR]

Yes.

[mikey4444]

If you continue to say that he doesn't live with you, but the Council decide that he does, you may be liable for all the missed Council Tax.

[buffymad]

Think he's of "no fixed abode" but as I say, his post goes to his parents. Not sure if they've included him on the "living there" list or not!

[murraymints]

they will also check things like bank accounts for funds and address..tread very carefully or as Mike says you could end up paying !

[ummmm]

If he doesn't officially live with you then NO.

How much of his stuff is at your house?

[murraymints]

his employer will also be checked out !

[buffymad]

Everything is registered to his parents address, i.e. bank account, driving license, everything lol! His employer has his parents address too. As to what he has at mine, clothes and some DVDs and that's about it!

[Ken4155]

I think (think being the operative word) that if he stays at yours more than 3 nights a week (may be 2 - you'd have to check) the council will consider you to be a couple and you will have to pay full whack.

[furrypusscat]

I would say yes, you should be paying full Council Tax. Why don't you ask the council, I think they will agree that if he is with you most of the time then that they will stop your discount. It doesn't matter that you haven't asked him to stay, it is like claiming housing benefit etc where you state that you are on your own and obviously not. I would be extremely careful as someone is likely to report you and then you will be in trouble. Once a report is submitted, the council can watch who is coming and going and at what times. I think you probably know the answer.

[buffymad]

Oh I don't mind paying the full lot if that's the case, I just really didn't know how it was all worked out!

[TWR]

Buffy, It pleasures a lot of people to drop you in the $ iht, be carefull.

[anneasquith]

If he has more or less moved in with you,you pay hhe full amount t, though is he contributing to could CIO tax at his parents ?

[Prudie]

I think Ken is on the right lines - it depends how many nights a week he sleeps at yours and the figure 3 jogs my memory too. Plus they will send out spies to check if they feel like it.

[ladyalex]

If his Dad has told the council that he lives with you, then he has taken him off the electoral roll for Dad's address.
So, he will not have a vote, if that bothers him.
Councils do check up on people claiming the single occupancy discount, so get him to cough up....if you can.
After all his Dad seems to have failed to get him to cough up for the arrears that B/F owed but Dad had to pay......

[buffymad]

Boyfriend is still paying arrears - but when dad went to pay his own council tax etc, they applied it to the wrong account.

Not actually sure his parents actually declared him as "living" with them!

Shall be phoning the council to get it sorted out and don't worry, he'll be paying any extra lol!

[Peter Pedant]

// Not sure if they've included , him on the "living there" list or not! //

I am, I am sure they have not as you wrote previously: "Anyhow, this led to his dad telling the council boyfriend lives with me."

strikes me that your boyfriend is a bit 'fly' as it ended up that Dad paid his arrears, and presumably the bf didnt pay his Dad ...

if you let this drag on, both households will get a social services [benefits] investigation.

[Peter Pedant]

I dont think you should have a delightful scatty attitude of " and I dont know where my crazy boyfriend has said he is living this week or even next week"

and much more: "there are obviously debts attached to this young man, and I MUST minimise my exposure to his debts and their possible long term consequences"


I have to say as a Landlord, if my tenants get up to this sort thing, I end up by turfing them out. Council tax arrears, then the council can get a judgement (CCJ) amazingly quickly ( 14 d ) . You are in danger of being found to be wrongly/wrongfully claiming a 25% discount and all sorts of nasty things can happen then ....

[Mamyalynne]

Peter, Buffy has stated she is going to ring the Council and get it resolved, look up.

[Peter Pedant]

This means effectively she is making a voluntary declaration to the Council
and there is/may be an on-cost to this
Mama do think about what you write !