Real life MMD: Is the council tax bill mine?

Daisy_Bell

"............If I lived alone, there'd be no council tax, and I do all the housework so do contribute."

So, why do you not live alone then? The fact is, you are living with others and therefore, you should pay your fair share of everything! End of!

tryfive

scotsbob wrote: »

Your brothers have helped you out by taking you in, you should pay your share.

Exactly what share would that be then?

If he didn't live with his brothers, said brothers would pay "X" council tax.

By moving in with his brothers, said brothers STILL pay "X" council tax.

His presence changes nothing wrt council tax. Where elec/gas/water bills are concerned, fair enough - but not council tax!

OTOH, it would certainly be a nice goodwill gesture if he offered to pay some token amount towards it, if the housework isn't considered "enough"...

caddy_carazy

SoloBurr wrote: »

What a horrible unsupported bunch of brothers you have! You are not costing them a penny extra as there are already two people paying council tax at the address. In your circumstances, they should support you and stop being so self-centered.

"
"They should support you and stop being self centered"????? What planet did you come from? So if she brought her ex to live in with her or a new boyfriend would the brothers still have to pay for everything? Do you think if the situation were reversed her and her husband would support the brothers?? I think NOT. I also think theres a female sympathy thing going on here, I bet another brother wouldn't get this gushing of support.

tryfive

KxMx wrote: »

She benefits from a shared house, and the brothers benefit from her doing all the housework. Anyone who has ever done all the housework will appreciate where i'm coming from.

Pah! Womens work!

WhyIsSavingSoHard

I don't know if anyone's already said it (don't have time to read all replies), but if you're living with family you can't claim help with housing or council tax which means you don't have the money to pay either.

I only know this as I stayed with my sister and her DH for a few weeks this year after I left the house I shared with my ex. We agreed between the three of us what I would pay per week especially as we knew it was a temporary thing and we agreed I would only pay any excess on the regular utility bills, 1/3 of the food bill and pay for any telephone calls I made. Didn't have to pay rent and council tax as they said that that's the same if I'm there or not. To help out, I'd cook some of the meals and do the majority of the washing up. Made me feel like I was contributing something.

It's hard if it's permanent because you can't get the help to pay rent and council tax, but should really be paying your share of them. There's no simple option for this at all and I was just lucky that mine was only for a few weeks.

pineapple

When I was back from working overseas and jobless, some friends let me lodge in their house RENT FREE. Then they went abroad and I stayed in the house RENT FREE. In return, I looked after the mail etc and decorated and when I got back on my feet, got them various things they couldn't have afforded otherwise.
The point is, none of it was treated as a balance sheet. We helped each other out when in need. And we weren't even family.

nikkimatti24

If your brother owns the property and he is renting a bedroom to you, you are not liable for Council Tax as he is liable on the entire property (he is higher up the hierarchy as a resident owner).

If he owns the property and just lets you live in the entire property, you would be liable to contribute. Similarly, if he rents the property you need adding to the tenancy agreement as a third tenant and again you would be liable. However, you need to apply to your Local Authority for Council Tax Benefit and they will pay your 33.33% of the bill. This is only on the condition you have access to the entire property.

This is my job so the above is correct according to legislation (it isn't just my opinion!)

Hope this helps

Curly_wurly_4

To get some independant, sound advice regarding your situation you could make an appointment to see someone at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

CIS

As has already been stated the brothers are the liable parties for the council tax (as per section 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992) and unless he is named as a joint tenant or a joint owner then he has no personal liability.

The fact he moves in to the property does not alter the council tax payments due so he is not incurring any extra cost for being resident.

cazpost

Presumably you are helping out as much as you can towards food and bills and helping out doing the housework etc. As these are your BROTHERS,I would have thought they would be glad to be helping you out while you are having a tough time and that if the boot was on the other foot you would help them in the same way.
My brother has just gone through a marriage split and is living with my pensioner parents.Although I am disabled and have very little spare cash I have bought him clothes,toiletries,food,etc and he has repaid me by doing DIY jobs etc for me.I certainly am not keeping tabs on how much I have spent and certainly don't expect to be paid back.He is my brother,he needs help and thats all there is to it.