Council Tax query....

sarriep

....can anyone give me some advice please? My mum is on DLA and does not have to pay council tax. I'm sure my sister who works full time and lives with her should pay some but the website is unclear and implies it is my mum who is the one liable for Council Tax.
Any advice welcome!
Thanks

Fire_Fox

Any adult who lives in a property should have their name listed on a council tax bill. Is your sister listed?

Those who are exempt from council tax will have the amount due reduced or removed entirely, but by law they should still receive a bill stating this. If an exempt individual lives alone, they must complete a declaration to this effect: it is fraud to falsely complete this declaration. If an exempt individual lives with an individual who is not exempt the total amount due will be 75% of the full year's charge.

Then it gets complicated. Everyone named on a bill, whether exempt or not, is equally and severally liable for the amount charged. So if one does not pay the other(s) must. There is a hierachy of responsibility with freeholders who are resident first, then tenants/ leaseholders who are resident, then lodgers who are resident, then finally freeholders who are non-residents (think that's all the levels).

For example: I am a full time student so pay nothing, Mr. Fire Fox works so we are charged 75% of the total. We are both named on the bill: if he does not pay we are sent the red bill in joint names. If Mr. Fire Fox cannot or will not pay I can be charged the full amount as I am the homeowner and a resident of the property, he is merely a resident. The fact that I am exempt as a student is not relevant.