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Council tax

Hello, I am writing on behalf of my son, aged 19. He is about to start work in a modern apprenticeship away from home. He will have to rent a property for about £350-400 a month. He will earn £12,750pa, before deductions, has to pay 6% of his salary into his pension. He has no savings. We are concerned about council tax which is about £950 band A, where he will live in Cheshire. Can he claim any rebate? Can he claim any other benefits? Many thanks for any advice!
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Comments

  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
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    Gone ... or have I?
  • kelloggs36
    kelloggs36 Posts: 7,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    if he is a single occupant he should claim 25% council tax deduction.
  • caeler
    caeler Posts: 2,638 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Mortgage-free Glee! Photogenic
    Single occupant discount?
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The 25% single peson discount would be all he's entitled to with regards to council tax discounts, there is an additional discount for apprentices but he earns too much to qualify for it any case.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • kelloggs36
    kelloggs36 Posts: 7,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 17 April 2010 at 9:20PM
    If he lives alone he will get 25% reduction in the council tax which will mean it will reduce to £712.50 per year; but he has to claim it.
  • missmontana
    missmontana Posts: 1,994 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    will he be renting a property by himself? may work out cheaper if he does a house or flat share.
    Be who you are, say what you feel, those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind.
    They say that talking to yourself is a sign of mental illness. So I talk to the cats instead.
  • GEEGEE8
    GEEGEE8 Posts: 2,440 Forumite
    Does anyone know if he is entitled to working tax credits?
    Though I'd ask as I didn't realise I could claim them for half the year.. :( I just don't know if apprenticeships are covered.
    9/70lbs to lose :)
  • clb776
    clb776 Posts: 647 Forumite
    pensions are optional.

    Unfortunately, he wouldnt get working tax credits as he is under 25 (you do not get them until this age unless you are in a couple, and certain other rules).

    Entitledto is always a good place to start as it will tell you most things, so have a look on there.

    Although it will be tough for him now, I hope the apprenticeship pays off :)
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    This amount of rent and a whole property to himself (even if small) is really not suitable for somebody on a comparatively low income - although 12.750 for a 19 year old on an apprenticeship is excellent money. A flatshare would be far more appropriate.
  • I would double check with the council offices as if an apprentice lives at home he is not counted as an adult for council tax. so maybe he doesnt have to pay if he is living in his own property.
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