Council Tax Discount

Author
Discussion

citychap26

Original Poster:

1,307 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

Have been getting a 25% discount on my council tax as my girlfriend does not "really" live in my place full time. She has her own property for which she pays council tax too. When I bought the house back in December I let her set up all the bills including council tax and she put herself on it. I removed her in March so have been paying for just myself.

Got a letter addressed to her yesterday saying that they are conducting a "single person discount review"

Where do I stand ?

Cheers

Sunil

Simpo Two

87,026 posts

272 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
citychap26 said:
Hi Guys,

Have been getting a 25% discount on my council tax as my girlfriend does not "really" live in my place full time. She has her own property for which she pays council tax too. When I bought the house back in December I let her set up all the bills including council tax and she put herself on it. I removed her in March so have been paying for just myself.

Got a letter addressed to her yesterday saying that they are conducting a "single person discount review"

Where do I stand ?

Cheers

Sunil
You say she 'put herself on the Council Tax' - do you mean the electoral register? If so then that declares you both live under the same roof.

However it would be cheaper overall for her officially to live with you, then you'd pay 100% CT on your property and none on hers as its unoccupied. 100% is less then 2 x 75%!

citychap26

Original Poster:

1,307 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks for the mail... She did have her place as unoccupied when we were renting a gaff in Clapham last year.

So I don't think she can do that again.

Perhaps I need to contact my local MP for his advice wink

Simpo Two

87,026 posts

272 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
Hmm, well they'll know that she has to live somewhere, so it may be time to play it straight. Councils may be slow but they're persistent.

citychap26

Original Poster:

1,307 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
She is paying at her place in Chingford.

I'm not worried about paying the extra... Trust me I should have sued the council for damage to my car in the region of £700. However as I know that they are under enough strain I decided against it.

zcacogp

11,239 posts

251 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
citychap26 said:
Trust me I should have sued the council for damage to my car in the region of £700. However as I know that they are under enough strain I decided against it.
Enough strain? You're a softer touch than me! I sued mine for nearly a grand for damage to my car, because they are a useless bunch of See-You-Next-Tuesdays who would struggle to organise their way out of a paper bag let alone organise a London borough!


Oli.

Pot Bellied Fool

2,161 posts

244 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
then you'd pay 100% CT on your property and none on hers as its unoccupied. 100% is less then 2 x 75%!
But only for 6 months and then they charge 100% on unoccupied dwellings...furious

V12Les

3,985 posts

203 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
Pot Bellied Fool said:
Simpo Two said:
then you'd pay 100% CT on your property and none on hers as its unoccupied. 100% is less then 2 x 75%!
But only for 6 months and then they charge 100% on unoccupied dwellings...furious
90% after 6 months.

Pot Bellied Fool

2,161 posts

244 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
V12Les said:
90% after 6 months.
Not around here, Liverpool City Council are adamant on the matter. Grrr...

We found this out the hard way when my wife moved into my flat & we put hers up for sale. We got a buyer & then it fell through 13 months later after a saga with the leasehold. Thankfully we now have a tenant in there but it would have been cheaper for her to move back in! Crazy world of Local Authorities...

Chrisgr31

13,736 posts

262 months

Wednesday 27th May 2009
quotequote all
The rules on vacant properties vary from Council to Council, and depend whether the propoerty is furnished or not.

Its likely that the cheapest option would be for each person to declare they live in their own properties and receive 25% discount each.

However you do need to ensure you are not both on the electoral roll at the same property! Incidentially how many nights a week does she spend with you?