Avoiding Council Tax

Blue_Lou

I recently found out that someone I know has been avoiding paying council tax. The occupier has been receiving a 25% discount for being a sole occupier when infact there has been two people living there - originally he lived alone but my friend moved in just over two years ago .

To make matters worse, I am moving in with them next year and I fear that if my name is added to the council tax, the council will find out my friend has been avoiding payments for the past two ears and give her a hefty fine/large bill.

Would I be right in thinking that only the additional 25% needs to be paid for the time she has lived with the occuper? - she has previously paid CT at a previous address?

I do not wish to discuss this with the council as yet until I find out what to expect - I may speak to the national debtline regarding this, but anyones views/experience would be greatly appreciated.

Blue_Lou

P.S. I have obviously since found out why I am likely to be taxed extra for being on the electoral role.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=205309

**purpleprincess**

Blue_Lou wrote:

I recently found out that someone I know has been avoiding paying council tax. The occupier has been receiving a 25% discount for being a sole occupier when infact there has been two people living there - originally he lived alone but my friend moved in just over two years ago .

To make matters worse, I am moving in with them next year and I fear that if my name is added to the council tax, the council will find out my friend has been avoiding payments for the past two ears and give her a hefty fine/large bill.

Would I be right in thinking that only the additional 25% needs to be paid for the time she has lived with the occuper? - she has previously paid CT at a previous address?

I do not wish to discuss this with the council as yet until I find out what to expect - I may speak to the national debtline regarding this, but anyones views/experience would be greatly appreciated.

Your friend should really tell the council that she has been living there. The 25% that had been claimed would have to be repaid.

And if you are going to be living there then that would be worse as not only is there not just one person living there, but 3!!

If you register on the electoral roll then they can access this info to see how many people are living in a property. Credit checks can also be run on a property too.

Please also be aware that if he has signed while she has been living there that he still lives alone and they then find out (without being told) then a penalty could be imposed.

Best to be honest really.

I'mcomingbackasaman

Blue_Lou wrote:

I recently found out that someone I know has been avoiding paying council tax. The occupier has been receiving a 25% discount for being a sole occupier when infact there has been two people living there - originally he lived alone but my friend moved in just over two years ago .

If your friend who moved in is a full time student or unemployed then there would still be 25% discount applicable for a 2nd adult rebate. If your friend is working then 100% is due on the property.

If it is a single discount based on sole occupier as you think then your friend would be wise to possibly say when you move in that your friend moved in as well on that date. Her time at her/his previous address would have to correspond with the date she moved in. This is a white lie:o but would save him having an overpayment to pay.

I do not wish to discuss this with the council as yet until I find out what to expect - I may speak to the national debtline regarding this, but anyones views/experience would be greatly appreciated.

You can phone and ask for advice without giving your name etc.

Debt_Free_Chick

Blue_Lou wrote:

P.S. I have obviously since found out why I am likely to be taxed extra for being on the electoral role.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=205309

You are not taxed extra for being on the Electoral Roll. If you don't qualify for an exemption/reduction, you have to pay Council Tax - full stop!

hodgester

Are you going to be signing a joint tenancy with them or does the occupier own the property. If they own it, then the discount is their concern and under the rules of joint & several liability you're indemnified. The owner-occupier is the only one who can be made liable for the charge.

If you're ajoint tenant with them, then it's best you let the Local Authoirty know as you should be jointly liable.

Oh and council tax offices no longer enjoy free access to the electoral roll, in most cases. Legislation on the use of the ER changed in 2003/4 year which limited open access to the ER for internal depts of a local authority. I now have to sign a form just to look at one entry - too much like hard work!

goluckykid

Hi MoneyExpert,

Currently I am homeless but a friend who lives on her own has permitted me to use the place of residence as a mailing address and a place of refuge one (but sometimes two nights a week). Recently she raised concerns about the possibility of an increase in Council Tax because of my temporary presence which has given me a cause for concern. Can anyone advise me whether or not it is true or not and if so any related websites or agencies I can contact?

Any response is appreciated,
SB

brightonman123

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=b1000255

local council info site- your iwn nmay have similar setup..

i dont think the odd visit would affect 25% deduction for the 'sole' resident, but be best to check.

azzaelectro

What if a friend is not claiming the 25%............. but however still has 3 unnamed people at that address not registered on the ER? How much trouble can you get into if any?

I take it the Council ain't gonna come round to advise that you could get a 25% reduction as you live on your own....and see infact that there are 4 people in the propety?

Elaine_Wilson

The council tax people are not concerned if the full council tax is being paid on the property.

The potential problem is that the form stating who is eligible for the register of electors has been completed incorrectly. My own form states "Any person failing to respond or giving false information is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000".

I don't know if anyone ever gets charged for this offence, though.

loveangel

that right all you need to do is register your house as a mosque with your local authority.

In manchaster they have 324 private homes registed as mosques where 1 or more rooms is that property may be used for prayers.

In lambeth there are 27 homes enjoying free/no council tax

in southwark there are 154 homes enjoying paying no council tax

Once your home is registered as a place of worship you pay no council tax and all your prayers will have been answered praise be to allah!