URGENT! Council Tax advice needed!

timberflake

busydaffodil1 wrote: »

If your worried about giving details which would result in eviction, then dont give any.
Write back giving your details & stating that there is another tenant who rents a room in the house, but that you do not have permission to give details. Suggest that they deal direct with the other tenant themselves, or contact your Landlord.

Why would your landlord not want her/his name associated with the house? Seems a little suspicious to me.

She says its because she's now livng in the Isle of Man for Tax reasons. God knows why he doesn't was his name on the council, he said its because he doesn't want a "paper trail" and was very forceful when he told me not to put his name down and said I had no right to do it! Cheeky so and so!

poppysarah

I'd be glad to move and let them get on with their deceit. Sounds a bit dodgy.

busydaffodil1

if LL is not paying the Council Tax now, as it is already in arrears, who do you think they will chase? You....your the named person on the card.

Perhaps you should be looking around for a legit LL?

Isle of Man for Tax reasons huh! LOL

poppysarah

Thats very true. If you're the only one on it you're the one in arrears. I'd get the money off her pronto. Tell her you can take it from your rent.

archie9uk

timberflake wrote: »

My question is, where do I legally stand? My name is on the bill together with my old flatmates and neither my current flatmate or landlady is willing to put their name down. The Council did adivse that they believe it should be wholly in the landlady's name as we have individual tenancy agreements but she has flat out refused to do this.

If the council have said that the bill should be in your landlady's name, that would be because they deem the property to be a HMO (House in Multiple Occupation), meaning she would be liable for the charge, not you. If that is the case then they should be chasing her for the Council Tax, and taking legal action if she refuses to pay. You should contact them and ask them to visit the property to determine whether it should be classed as a HMO (it could not if you have a joint tenancy agreement with your flatmate, but you have stated that you have separate ones).

CIS

My question is, where do I legally stand? My name is on the bill together with my old flatmates and neither my current flatmate or landlady is willing to put their name down. The Council did adivse that they believe it should be wholly in the landlady's name as we have individual tenancy agreements but she has flat out refused to do this.

The individual doesn't get a choice - the legislation decides who is liable. If the council are supplied with enough info to show its an HMO then the L/L is liable by prescription (Liability of owners regs 1992).

Ditzy_2

Council Tax - for CTAX purposes and what you have stated so far it appears that you are deemed a HMO property - if you are sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities and have independent tenancies for each tenant then the L/L is liable for council tax and should have their name on the bill. Shared Accommodation tenancies state incl bills which means council tax and utilities.
£525.00 pcm seems to be for a typical 1 bedroomed flat in the area I work in - if renting a room and sharing facilities usually come in at £400.00 pcm - seems that you are being a little ripped off somewhere.
You must remove the previous flatmates name - if recovery action takes place then the LA will chase him as well.
Any person over the age of 18 is liable for council tax - your new flatmate MUST put his name on the account - or will not be fair on you when it all goes Pete Tong but honestly think is should be your L/L as stated above.

If the L/L is persistent about their name on the CTAX bill - then I would adv to get one tenancy with both residents names on it and both liable for the CTAX until you move out.

HTH
Good luck.