Working abroad and paying council tax

Harrybloominpotterthen

Morning Folks,

I've just applied and been turned down for single occupancy(seems to be a theme this month for me, roll on April)discount on my council tax.
Husband moved abroad last month to take up a positionin the middle east. He is no longer in the forces this a contract with a civilian company.
He does not pay tax in this country. And lives out there. Our reasons for such an extreme measure are, to set ourselves up, get most of the mortgage(Ha)paid off, invest and pay off remaining debt.
Yet the council are insisting I pay for him, the time he is allowed to be in the country for is pretty boomin small, yet they are insisting we pay for it. Reason given is that myself and the children are here. Well, I'm not asking for an exemption, just that I'm not expected to pay for someone who doesnt live here. Oh and they also use the reason that our chldren will be attending school from ths address. They wont they are three and ten months.
I read their rules on this and it seemed we would qualify.
Wrong!
Seems you only qualify if you're dead.:D

Is this correct?

Regards
HP
X

ts_aly2000

Either he's living at the property or he isn't. And if he isn't then you're entitled to the discount.

They're being pedantic. If you know you're right, then just try someone else. Volunteering information to these jobsworths isn't always in our best interests. They either use it, or invent something to make it look like they're doing something, or sometimes they put it on CDs and leave them on trains.

I'd personally tell them that he's left me and we're getting a divorce. It's none of their business. All they need to know is if you're a single adult living in the property. Yes? Job done.

borosteve_2

PM sent to you.

CIS

The council are correctly applying the law as it stands. Under Council Tax legislation your husband's 'Sole or Main Residence' remains at your property - this has already been determined under previous case law (see Ward v Kingston upon Hull and Bradford v Anderton).

Harrybloominpotterthen

Thanks everyone for your input its much appreciated,

Apparently there is some very new legislation with regard to this scenario, which has been successfully applied recently!
In regard to us not being liable to pay council tax for someone who doesnt actually live in this country.
So I'm down for some reading and form filling...again

Regards
HP

CIS

Apparently there is some very new legislation with regard to this scenario, which has been successfully applied recently!

Which legislation is this ?(I'm currently doing an IRRV technical course in council tax legislation so would be interested to know)

Harrybloominpotterthen

I'll let you know when I get it:rolleyes:

regards
HP