Council Tax Single Person Discount

Casper1_3

Hi there
I live on my own and have for 4 years. I had a letter a couple of weeks ago asking to confirm if I still lived on my own - which I do. However, my boyfriend stays at mine most of the week but he pays council tax at his own house even though he's not there that often.
I came home last night to a letter saying that the councils records show someone else is either living with me or has their post delivered there. I keep getting letters for someone else but return them to Barclays.
Does anyone know where I stand? I called the council and explained this and they said no problem - if my bf pays his ct and is registered somewhere else then its fine....and his post doesn't come here.
Thanks

dansylvester

Alot of people abuse the single persons discount on council tax, and some councils now have access to a new database, to check if other people are having mail or registered at a certain address with other agencies. Most of the people that get a letter like that over the coming months wont have anything to worry about, unless they have been commiting tax fraud that is!

poppysarah

You live on your own apart from the 5 days a week oh and the weekend when your bf lives with you?


They may have photographic evidence of him leaving for work every morning btw. Councils are quite good at this spying.

If he pays council tax elsewhere does he claim a single person discount also?

Casper1_3

Yes he pays CT and he get SPD too. This is what I explained to the council when I received the first letter.

what I'm actually trying to confirm is if he pays CT with SPD and I pay CT with SPD, does it matter where we stay or for how long??

(oh - and I dont think I actually said my BF stayed here 5 days during the week and on a weekend!)

Kavanne

My mum's just got this letter.

Although I lived away at uni, until recently most of my post went to her because it was more secure. Do you think the council will undertstand?


(PS I'm no longer a student, but my mum is still getting a lot of junk mail for me)

Casper1_3

I've just spoken to the council and explained my situation. They said I had to put it in writing with the declaration letter but there is no reason why I should loose my SPD.

I think the best thing to do is call them and explain.

Good luck!!

tbs624

Casper1 wrote: »

...what I'm actually trying to confirm is if he pays CT with SPD and I pay CT with SPD, does it matter where we stay or for how long??

No, it doesn't: if your bf is not actually living with you then don't feel you have to explain the details of your love life/any of your other visitors to council officials.

Write a simple letter, send it recorded delivery & keep a copy with your c/tax papers,, just saying I confirm that I am only full time occupant of the property and am therefore entitled to receive the spd. If your bf has his own place and his own bills then you have nothing to worry about.

Edit- response above not there when I started there you go but keep that letter simple.

poppysarah

But how are you defining living together?

Casper1_3

We're not living together. He has his own house where he pays CT, Gas, Water, Ele etc. I work away during the week (and my company pay CT on another property in London for me). He stays over at mine sometimes to look after the cat - not all the time - and maybe one night over the weekend.

It really f*cks me off that there are people out there who claim left right and centre every benifit going (entitled or not!) and genuine hard working people get screwed over!! Its about time the government started helping us singletons rather than giving all the help to single parents and non-workers!!

tbs624

Councils obviously have a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that claimed SPDs’s and other discounts/exemptions etc are properly applied. Many Councils send out a standard letter to those who have claimed discounts in the previous year, as part of a basic annual review: it’s not that some spook from the council has stood around with a clipboard watching your bf turn up with his kit-e-kat.
Really, if the bf is not using his your property as his principal residence, the utility bills etc are all in your name and he has his own property, where he is paying his own CT& utilities then there is nothing to worry about.

Premier_2

Casper1 wrote: »

I've just spoken to the council and explained my situation. They said I had to put it in writing with the declaration letter but there is no reason why I should loose my SPD.

I think the best thing to do is call them and explain.

Good luck!!

Perhaps they want it in writing to use in evidence against you in court ... especially if they have proof that someone else liable to council tax does actually stay with you frequently - so frequently that they now even have their mail delivered to your address.

As for that person claiming SPD for the other property, that's possible fraud too if they don't live there. Be aware that some councils now charge 90% or even 100% of council tax for empty residential properties. (after initial 6 months). Even if the one affected still only charges 50% for an empty property, a SPD cannot be claimed unless it is the persons main residence.

Tread very carefully