Living with someone who doesnt pay council tax (older)

CodeMatcha · 16 June 2017 at 4:49PM

I'm moving in with my Great Nan who is 90 and disabled. She lives only in the lounge and has a special bathroom. She has a carer that visits which I believe she pays for (completely or some of).

I was told she doesnt pay council tax at all, but I am not completely sure why - this isnt listed on the council website. Another family member seemed to think that it was an over 85 thing, but I cant see that on the website. Might also be a disabled thing.

It is a 3 bed house in High Wycombe, and I can just about commute to my full-time job in central London from there. It seems silly to leave the 3 bedrooms empty (nan wouldnt cope with a stranger living there), but I would struggle to pay £100/m+ council tax as well as the £400/m+ train fare.

Can I get a discount? She doesnt seem to be listed under the requirements for a single person discount. I can't find an online help form to contact the High Wycome council. I'm working abroad right now, so it would be hard to phone them.

sheramber · 16 June 2017 at 4:59PM

general enquiry form

https://www.wycombe.gov.uk/pages/About-the-council/Contact-forms/Contact.aspx

00ec25 · 16 June 2017 at 5:00PM

there is no blanket exemption from paying CT merely because she is "old"

the only "disabled thing" which would give total exemption is severe mental impairment (eg: she has advanced dementia)

She can have a "band reduction" for being disabled in an oversized property in which she only uses part of it and has a dedicated bathroom. The size of reduction awarded depends on the local council's own policy

you need to get your info confirmed as to what her true CT status is. Could a family member be paying it for her and you do not know that yet?

as for your occupation you would not (I assume) be classed as her live in carer so you would not yourself be exempt. Whether you yourself could claim a single person discount on the basis that she is a "disregard" and therefore does not count as an existing occupant remains to be seen based on establishing what her current status actually is.

who is managing her affairs at the moment? go ask them?

CodeMatcha · 16 June 2017 at 6:49PM

I have spoken to both people that manage her affairs and they have both said that she is exempt because she is over 85... she is not mentally impaired - just physically. I'm very confused - no one else could be paying and they certainly wouldn't lie to the council.

She does live in an oversized house that she can't use all of because of her disability.

I would not count as a carer - I'm just hoping for a single person discount.

agrinnall · 16 June 2017 at 6:56PM

CodeMatcha wrote: »

I have spoken to both people that manage her affairs and they have both said that she is exempt because she is over 85... she is not mentally impaired - just physically. I'm very confused - no one else could be paying and they certainly wouldn't lie to the council.

These people are wrong about the reason, all adults have to pay unless they are in one of the exempt groups, and age is not one of the factors.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay

She may be eligible for the Disable Band Reduction Scheme, although I don't know if this offers 100% reduction.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

But to be honest I think the carers are mistaken, and that she either should be paying or is paying and they don't know it.

CodeMatcha · 16 June 2017 at 7:06PM

Ok, Thanks a lot

If she is paying something then it is probably better or equivalent to a single person discount for me.

I couldn't afford a 3 bed house alone at the moment, so it would be odd if I had to pay 100% of a 3 bed council tax bill by myself. It wouldnt exactly be encouraging house sharing.

00ec25 · 16 June 2017 at 7:30PM

CodeMatcha wrote: »

Ok, Thanks a lot

If she is paying something then it is probably better or equivalent to a single person discount for me.

I couldn't afford a 3 bed house alone at the moment, so it would be odd if I had to pay 100% of a 3 bed council tax bill by myself. It wouldnt exactly be encouraging house sharing.

the only thing i can think of is she is getting council tax reduction (council tax support or previously called council tax benefit) because she is a pensioner on a low income.
https://www.wycombe.gov.uk/pages/Council-tax/Help-with-council-tax/Council-tax-reduction.aspx

however to get to 100% reduction and thus pay nothing it would mean she must be on a very low income and have very little savings

in any case if you move in you will be classed as a non dependent adult (of working age) and so that will impact her reduction (if that is what she gets) and would mean you certainly will have to pay something yourself.

as we are all guessing due to the inability of you to provide accurate info your best way forward, bearing in mind what you said about being overseas, is to get her to authorise the council to speak to/communicate with you directly so you can be told her correct position and what the implications are for you.

I suspect if she is getting CTR you will end having having to pay near to 75% of a bill since you would be seen as a working age adult and therefore not a "family" member ie child under 18

read the details of the CTR scheme adopted by High Wycombe (including how to calculate a non dependent's charge) by opening up the .pdf document at the bottom end of the council webpage https://www.wycombe.gov.uk/pages/Council-tax/Help-with-council-tax/Council-tax-reduction.aspx

CIS · 16 June 2017 at 10:00PM

CodeMatcha wrote: »

I have spoken to both people that manage her affairs and they have both said that she is exempt because she is over 85... she is not mentally impaired - just physically. I'm very confused - no one else could be paying and they certainly wouldn't lie to the council.

She does live in an oversized house that she can't use all of because of her disability.

I would not count as a carer - I'm just hoping for a single person discount.

There is no council tax discount or exemption for over 85's - I suspect she's claimed council tax reduction (which can pay up to 100% for pensioners)

Craig

CIS · 16 June 2017 at 10:08PM

agrinnall wrote: »

These people are wrong about the reason, all adults have to pay unless they are in one of the exempt groups, and age is not one of the factors.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay

She may be eligible for the Disable Band Reduction Scheme, although I don't know if this offers 100% reduction.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

But to be honest I think the carers are mistaken, and that she either should be paying or is paying and they don't know it.

Disabled Band Reduction would reduce the gross council tax charge down by 1 band (or to 5/9th of a Band D if you're already in Band A, Band A is 6/9th of a Band D)

Craig

CodeMatcha · 16 June 2017 at 11:46PM

Thanks, I assume she gets 100% reduction based on what Ive been told.

Hopefully means that I will be able to pay the 75% single persons council tax.

CIS · 17 June 2017 at 11:43AM

CodeMatcha wrote: »

Thanks, I assume she gets 100% reduction based on what Ive been told.

Hopefully means that I will be able to pay the 75% single persons council tax.

You won't be liable to pay any Council Tax as you're not the liable person unless you're a joint tenant or owner.

The charge will be in the tenant/owners name but there will be no single person discount as there would be two occupants so the Council Tax charge would be the full charge without any 25% discount.

The Council Tax Reduction claim will be looked at again on the basis that you are residence and then be adjusted where necessary. Any reduction will be applied to the full charge to get what needs to be paid (i.e the full charge less any Council Tax Reduction).

Craig

Living with someone who doesnt pay council tax (older)

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