Student living with one non-student - council tax dilemma

taxidrivex

Hi,

I'm a full time student,on the student loan, living with my boyfriend, who works full time(we are renting small studio through letting agency,).According to the council in such circumstamces my boyfriend is egible to 25% discount (I, as a student dont have to pay).I have friends (students) who live in a property and dont pay council tax ,even though 2 non-students have been living there for a 6 months:D.Does anyone know how council investiagte if any non-student living in the property?As our contract expire in a month,we are thinking to put only my name in a contract(if letting agency agree) so according to contract I will be single student liviing in a property and eligible for full council tax extemption.Is this worth a risk?

Valli

If you are living with partner you are entitled to the student discount so the total CT bill for the property will be reduced by 25%.

Your 'friends' are committing fraud. If you do the same you will be. The council will investigate reports of CT fraud just as the benefits agency will investigate fraud.

blackcoffee

I lived with my mates while they were 4th year teaching students and I had just completed my degree and was working, we had the same house 3 years, I always paid my council tax. My landlord insisted !

Zebradome

If you were registered to vote at the address, the council would know there were two residents, and only one claiming student exemption. Also, the Landlord or LA might submit your details to council tax folk.

Flower08

When you apply for council tax discount, the council will ask the names of all people living in the property. If you lie then like someone else has already said you will be committing fraud.

theartfullodger

What's the problem?? You BF is liable to pay Council Tax, and being an honest man will be glad to. Anyone who isn't happy to pay your taxes ain't worth having as a partner..., surely, 'tis the British way??

Cheers!

Lodger

bitsandpieces

Saying that just you live there (while your boyfriend is resident) is fraud. Your boyfriend would have to pay council tax whether or not he lived with you - sharing with you is no excuse for not coughing up! Even putting ethics to one side, you'd be risking serious consequences if caught in order to save what likely isn't a massive amount of money each month.

Even if you're not caught, it could have consequences in future if - for example - you and/or your boyfriend needs to start claiming benefits at some point: what address would you give as your residence?

guppy

You might also consider this thread a warning...although unlike your case, this wasn't fraudulent.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=24261427#post24261427