Council Tax

WickedWolfie

My ex left our jointly-owned house some while ago. While the legal issues over ownership rumble on I find that Islington Council continue to insist that I pay full Council Tax ie I do not get the single occupancy discount. I have queried this, which is contrary to their own website, but they state that the website is not definitive and that while my ex is still co-owner, and as such might come back, full Council Tax remains payable.

Grateful for any advice as I think this is rubbish.....

guppy

WickedWolfie wrote: »

My ex left our jointly-owned house some while ago. While the legal issues over ownership rumble on I find that Islington Council continue to insist that I pay full Council Tax ie I do not get the single occupancy discount. I have queried this, which is contrary to their own website, but they state that the website is not definitive and that while my ex is still co-owner, and as such might come back, full Council Tax remains payable.

Grateful for any advice as I think this is rubbish.....

Sounds like rubbish to me too, I would imagine you are best placed to decide whether she is likely to come back. If she's living somewhere else, then I don't see how they can claim your place is her "sole or main residence".

If you can't sort it out through negotiation with the council, you have the option of appealing to a Tribunal (or at least threatening too) - see:

http://www.valuation-tribunals.gov.uk/guidance-notes/Notice%20of%20Hearing%20for%20CTL.pdf

lincroft1710

If ex has taken their stuff, then there is clearly no intention to return and you should be entitled to 25% discount.

James123_2

Get down to CAB! Ownership of a property has no bearing on how many adults may or may not live at the address. As a first port of call, I'd try to speak to someone else higher up the chain of command and ask them to put their position on the issue down in writing. Councils are always more cautious when they have to commit something in writing & this in itself could be enough to make them think again.

dansylvester

Was she living at another address? Usually if you can provide the address she was living at for the period they would look at backdating the SPD, but the burden of proof is with yourself to proove she was not living there

WickedWolfie

dansylvester wrote: »

Was she living at another address? Usually if you can provide the address she was living at for the period they would look at backdating the SPD, but the burden of proof is with yourself to proove she was not living there

Agreed, sort of, but I did think a letter from her solicitor stating that she was not there and asking for her share of the value of the property might well be adequate proof!!!

hodgester

I wouldn't accept a solicitor's letter either, it means nothing. The council has to determine that the vacated person has established a sole or main residence elsewhere. Give them her new address and all should fall into place from there.

You should be aware that if your ex ever moves back in the authority will probably deem that it has always been their sole or main residence and remove the interim discount

samcrooksmustgo

If you want to see a truly appalling Council and the way the "Leader" of the Council Sam Crooks, and his minion Alistair Townsend deal with Milton Keynes citizens like dirt, look at samcrooksmustgo