Cohabiting And Council,tax

[patrickstar]

When does a relationship become recognised as that of cohabiting? Also when would the full rate of council tax need to be paid regarding a second adult frequently staying over at an address that is currently being discounted due to single adult occupancy? Thank you

[boxtops]

As soon as the other person moves in. When my OH moved in some years back, the council were on to it like a shot, and removed my 25% sole occupant discount without my notifying them.

[Prudie]

Interesting question as I was in this position a few years back. I can't remember, there must be a number of nights on a regular basis but sorry don't know exactly.

[Prudie]

lots of conflicting info here
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=council%20tax%20cohabitation

[boxtops]

It doesn't have to be cohabiting either, it works the same if you have a lodger.

[patrickstar]

Thank you all. Seems to be less black and white and more grey!

[EDDIE51]

No hard and fast rule, but my daughter was told that if her boy friend stayed over more than 3 days a week she would no longer be classed as a single person. This was what the housing association told her.

[tamborine]

If an unmarried mum has dhss paying council tax, her bf can move in without any extra charge by council. As happened with my last tenant.

[DaisyNonna]

What happens if you are both on permanent night shift? Working all night and playing and sleeping all day? Is that cohabiting?

[EDDIE51]

^^ everybody apart from pensioners has to pay at least part of their council tax themselves now tambo. The DHSS only pay a %.
So if an unmarried Mum has her BF move in the council tax she has to pay goes up. if the BF is working, 100% of the council tax may have to be paid by tenant, depending on the income of the pair of them.

[Peter Pedant]

quite a lot here
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/378231/dmgch11.pdf

[DaisyNonna]

What is the Zeon corporation PP?

[Peter Pedant]

It appears to be softward company that writes software that reads pdf.s
Here is a ref
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie9-windows_7/whenever-i-try-to-open-a-pdf-file-from-a-website-a/be244b91-2674-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5

[DaisyNonna]

Thanks but still none the wiser

[Peter Pedant]

and neither am I but you did ask

I have - thinking laterally as ever - reclicked on the dmgch11.pdf link and I STILL get:

Chapter 11 - Living together as a
married couple
Contents

Introduction................................................................................................ 11001

DM’s consideration ...................................................................................... 11005

Benefits affected........................................................................................ 11021

Members of the same household
General ........................................................................................................ 11051

Two people living in one dwelling ................................................................ 11053

Common factors associated with the existence of a household.................. 11055

Other considerations.................................................................................... 11056

Two people owning or renting other accommodation .................................. 11057



blah blah blah on it goes as it agonises for those hard working civil servants how subletting in a house ( students ) can be distinguished from cohabiting couples

[ and that is the title of the thread ]

[ummmm]

Tambo...that is totally incorrect.

[Peter Pedant]

umm I think a little more detail is required

I also think Tambo's defence would be - " but it happened ! "

I have to add (!!) that I dont go around arguing on the lines, that it must be true as one of my tenants has done it ! wow....

[Cloverjo]

The DHSS doesn't exist anymore. When it did it wouldn't have paid Council Tax benefit. That is down to the local council.
They might take a person to a tribunal for a judge to decide whether the couple are actually cohabiting or not.

[Peter Pedant]

Points taken, alot of people still talk about Housing benefit altho all new applications are for Local Housing Allowance.....

and DLA is turning slowly into PIP....

[ummmm]

They would both have to be unemployed and claiming benefits.

[Peter Pedant]

umm er I think I have low income tenants who are being helped with council tax ..... I havent specifically asked altho I did assist in the application....