Council Tax single person discount query

savinghopeful

Hi All,
I'm a newbie here and although I have used the forums in the past for some invaluable advice I haven't posted before. But I know there are some clever and helpful people out there who can likely help. Here's my query -sorry its a bit long!!

I live alone and receive a single persons discount for my council tax. I have had a query from the council saying they have checked with a credit bureau agency and it indicates there may be other people living at my address or using it for correspondence.

I have some of my brother's post sent here - he lives in Australia but has a flat rented out here which I look after for him and a credit card bill is sent here too. I also have my sister on one of my bills for correspondence purposes only and could easily be removed now (it was to do with our business together).

I think there may also have been the previous occupiers electoral paper sent here althouh I don't understand why as I have lived here since Oct 09 and filled in the register etc.

My question is - on the form it says "resident" and then under "interest in property" it also has "using this address for correspondence".......do you have to pay council tax to use the postal address? Seems crazy to me, but would like to know what people think. It is not listed under the disregarded items.

Appreciate your help in advance!

MrsManda

According to the council tax: guide to your bill the discount is worked out by counting the number of adults who use the house as their main home but who's not in one of the special group. Given what you've said, you are eligible for the single person's discount. I doubt it is necessary to pay council tax to use an address as a correspondance address but the questions are probably designed so the council have a full understanding of the situation so they won't have to ask again.

If your brother lives permanently in Austrilia has he told his credit card company? Or is he still claiming to live at yours? I only ask because if the bank presumes he lives there, then the credit bureau agency will have him down as living there and hence the council's enquiry.

CIS

Single Person Discount is available where there is either only one person who has the property as their 'sole or main residence' or where all but one occupier is otherwise disregarded for council tax purposes.

If its a correspondence address only then you are fine - the authority I worked for did a similar system of checking of checking discounts and we had the same problems.

Wilma33

I've had one of these letters today. It says they have found "activities that may indicate persons other than yourself could be living at your address or using your address for correspondance". Nobody else lives here or uses this address and they never have as I was the first person to live here. I've just signed up to check my credit file online and it doesn't mention anybody else. Any idea what these "activities" might are??? Do they have to tell me if I ask?