Council Tax query

Moominmamma

Hello

Really hoping someone can help me with this one... We're currently staying with my MIL while we renovate a house we bought last November. Never really anticipated being here this long, but due to a catalogue of disasters we are.

Long story short, I only discovered over the last couple of days that we may possibly be exempt fom paying council tax on our new place as we're not living in it, however when I mentioned this to MIL it transpires that she hasn't declared us as being here and so is still getting a 25% single persons discount on her CT.

So my query is, if I contact my district council and explain the situation to them, is she going to get in trouble for not telling them we're here? I'm happy to pay the difference that would obviously be owing in her CT but don't want to cause her any undue grief (at least not until we've moved out )

Any help would be hugely appreciated.

CIS

She does commit an offence by not informing the council but what usually happens is that the council will just withdraw the 25% discount. She could be also be issued with a penalty for not supplying information within 21 days that she is no longer entitled to a discount (some authorities don't use penalties)

We deal with this all the time at work and usually just bill and recover any unpaid amounts as normal .

Moominmamma

Thanks a million CIS - could really use the money, the house seems to be a bottomless pit and funds are running low :rolleyes: Shall get DH to broach the subject with MIL when I'm out one night!!