Question about council tax

nemmernossage

Hi! My partner and I live together and are both Student Nurses. We are exempt from paying council tax as we are both students. Fab a roo!
My question is about when the "in-laws" come to stay (in quotes cos partner and I aren't married, but they're his parents).

Do we have to notify the council about these visits? And if so, would we have to start to pay the council tax?

I'm not in urgent need of this info, but the frequency of their visits has increased dramatically in the last year and they plan to stay for a bit longer in the next year: Partner's mum has PKD(polycystic kidney disease) and partner's dad wants to donate a kidney to her. They currently live on a narrowboat which is located about 1 + 1/2 hours drive away. They have said that it would take 2 months for them to recover during which they don't want to go back to the boat, We have talked it through and reckon that it would take at least 6 months for them to recover properly. (I don't actually believe that she needs the transplant yet as her kidney function has declined but is stable, but that's a whole other issue!)

I know this is confusing, as I have tried to explain it to friends many times!

So to recap:

Partner and I currently council tax exempt; his parents visit many times a year for up to a week at a time, but they are planning to stay for a month or more next year. What I need to know is A: do we need to notify the council about when they stay(the regular times for up to a week many times a year)? and B: What do we do when they want to stay for a month or more?

Thank you for reading this long, drawn out and complicated post!

Nem.

SomeBozo

FRom my council web site :

12. I share my accommodation with other people who are
not all students. Will I have to pay Council Tax?

No, you cannot be classed as jointly liable. The non-students will be jointly
and severally liable for the Council Tax. The non-students in the household
can claim benefits based on their income. If there is one or more student(s)
and one non-student living in a property the non-student can claim a 25%
discount from the Council Tax. A student discount form would need to be
completed. Forms are available at all of the One Stop Shops, from our

website, or you can telephone our Contact Centre and ask for a form

So basically, you HAVE to inform the council when they move in. If there income is high enough , they will have to pay council tax.

Bozo

nemmernossage

Thanks! I thought we would have to, but it would seem from the wording of that, that they would be liable to pay the council tax, not us.

I wonder what the situation is for the visits? They stay pretty often, but aren't registered as living here (Their mail goes to Partner's sister, but I don't think they are registered as living there either)

Well, this adds more fuel to my "you don't need this operation" fire. If they stayed with us they would be liable for the council tax.

If anyone has any further comments, please feel free to add!

SomeBozo

Yes, I read it as. You and your partner will not be liable. But they would.

The council will be able to tell you how long or frequent a visit is before it becomes a issue. Plus they test it with things like if they keep clothes and personal items at your place all the time (ie tolietries, medicine).

Bozo

lil_me

Put everything you've told us in writing to the council and ask them to let you know where you/they stand.

Oldernotwiser

I don't think you need to notify the council about occasional visits but it might be worthwhile to ask for advice if they're staying for a month or two. As far as who pays goes, you'll need to discuss this with the outlaws when you discuss bills, food etc for their stay. Probably worthwhile getting this sorted out first to avoid any ill feeling later. Good luck.

nemmernossage

lil_me, oldernotwiser and SomeBozo ta very much for your advice. ts_aly2000 - I think I get your point. I'm not offended, but I would like to point out that I'm not trying to "get out" of paying any council tax that may be due- I am actually trying to get out of having the in-laws to stay at all! What you have suggested is a bit extreme - would the council be bothered that my sister came round for lunch on Monday? :rotfl: I don't think they would, but more frequent visitors, such as the in-laws, think they'd be interested.

In summary; thanks to all and I will have words with my district council regarding future visits.

Nem.

soph2566

To clarify, although you are both exempt under student rules at present, if the in-laws moved in (albeit temporarily) you possibly would no longer be exempt and a ctax charge would become payable - however it is you two who would be liable not the in-laws as you are the ones named on the bill. Who pays the charge is a different matter! Please don't confuse liability with actual payment.

It is worth noting that council tax is payable at your sole or main residence only unless you have a second home. So, I would be inclined to ask the ctax department where the in-laws live if they could have a discount for leaving their property empty of people (not furniture) for the length of their stay with you (currently 10%). This discount may offset some of the charge you would become liable for at your house. I think this point is definately worth pointing out or else ctax is effectively being charged twice.

In my local Council if the stay was for up to 2 months I think it would be looked on favourably and I would be surprised if a bill was raised. Most certainly put it in writing to the ctax department and see what they come back with.
All the best.