Implications of buying and living in two properties...?

G_M

uk_property_expert wrote: »

If property is not your main home you may be entitled to a discount. If only one partner is living in a property and there are no other adults or grown up children living there you can get 25% discount on your council tax, this is from government guide,
Reducing your Council Tax bill
You may be able to reduce your bill if:

• the property is empty
• only one adult lives there
• you are disabled
• you are a student
• you are a student nurse

If you're on a low income you may qualify for Council Tax Benefit.
Your full Council Tax bill is based on at least two adults living in a home. If only one adult lives in a home (as their main home), the Council Tax is reduced by 25 per cent. The bill doesn't increase if there are more than two adults in the home.
Certain people aren't counted when working out the number of adults who live in your home. If the property isn't the main home of the people living there, then a discount may also apply.

The only part of the above that is actually relevant to your particular circumstances is
"If the property isn't the main home of the people living there, then a discount may also apply."
And as Firefox explains above
"if you are married - but not legally separated - you are classed as living together for the purpose of council tax, you might get a modest discount (?10%) for your second home, check on the council's website."
In fact the discount varies according to the CAB:

Furnished holiday homes or second homes will be liable for council tax but will have a 10 per cent – 50 per cent discount because no one lives there on a permanent basis. This depends on the policy of the local authority where your holiday home or second home is located.

martindow

silvercar wrote: »

Needs to be portable to avoid getting a licence in their own right. So watching TV through their laptops when not recharging the laptop is OK.

If it is being streamed live I think a licence is required. If it is being watched after the programme has been broadcast no licence is needed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5081350.stm

silvercar

martindow wrote: »

If it is being streamed live I think a licence is required. If it is being watched after the programme has been broadcast no licence is needed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5081350.stm

NO. From the tvlicensing website:

"What does your licence allow?
.....

Use of TV equipment powered by internal batteries anywhere:
by you and anyone who normally lives with you at the licensed place."

So students who live with their parents outside of term time are convered when the laptop isn't plugged in.

kirstyegg81

Thank you for all of your responses so far - particularly those around CGT and Council Tax.
Food for thought indeed, but so far I'm not put off!!