Real life MMD: Is the council tax bill mine?

matchmade

I'm a landlord and I have this same problem in a house I rent to sharers: three of them are working and one is a student. The students says she shouldn't have to pay council tax, the others say why should they pay one-third each rather than a quarter, effectively paying her council tax for her.

As usual the landlord is stuck in the middle when tenants disagree. No doubt some people will say I shouldn't have rented to a student in the first place, but she was by far the best tenant on offer when the room was available, and I wanted a woman to help balance the gender mix in the house. No doubt I'm a mug to some people and for others I will remain an evil rapacious private-sector landlord whatever I say or do, but I offered to pay the council tax for her. Consequently I am paying £80 council tax like the others, and my tenants are all getting an excellent deal!

moonjooce

Perrywong wrote: »

If u only moved in with one brother then his Council Tax would have increased from 75% of the full amount to 100% but as u have moved in with two brothers there is no additionall cost to them as they are already paying the full 100%.
I live with my brother and he has let me move in without any charge, whilst I find a job. His interests are in my well-being, not my already threadbare wallet.

His council tax would not have increased at all - that is rubbish - it would have remained at 75% as you were not working (as long as you were claiming job seekers). I used to work in the council tax section of my local council 3 years ago and this has not changed since. I don't think they should expect you to pay any - the council doesn't. They were paying it fine before you moved in and as far as I can see they want your money (that you probably don't have) and for you to clear up the house after them. You won't get housing benefit either as they are both working and I assume they own the house. If they want you to pay a third of the council tax I'd move out.

nikkimatti24

Nick_C wrote: »

It is true that if you and your brothers get the landlord to change the tenancy agreement (assuming your brothers are tenants) and make the three of you jointly liable, then you will become jointly liable for Council Tax and eligible for a rebate on your share. However, you would not receive Housing Benefit if your local council believed the joint tenancy had been created to take advantage of the HB scheme.

If your brothers own the property and let you live there with them, you are not liable for Council Tax, and cannot claim CT benefit.

You can't receive Housing Benefit if it is a contrived or commercial tenancy. However, by requesting from your Landlord that he make you an official third tenant, you would be eligible for Housing Benefit from the date that the tenancy started, provided your claim is received within one calendar month and that you are in receipt of a passported benefit.

awehla

I'm sorry about your marriage, it must be hard to face these problems when you are probably still hurting or even depressed.

It would be fair to suggest a token amount you can afford now and promise when you are working to pay another lump sum towards the council tax and other bills. This should be written down and agreed in advance. Then hopefully you can get a place of your own.

awehla

Streethawk wrote: »

for which you'll have to pay the income tax, NI contributions and do the annual tax return for being self-employed, as well as signing off the dole... who'd be better off after all that?

You're right to say you help the household with housework and no doubt other services like company for them and keeping the property safe whilst they're work.

However, the main point is this: When did "helping each other out" become so contentious? When did Families start having to need equal share from everyone to make it fair. I'm not quoting personal experience here, or that my family is perfect as it's far from it, but those who earn put in. Those who don't do their best to help those who do, then we can all enjoy time together. Isn't that the point in the end?

If they are that way minded, they're your brothers and should "step up and be the man" (not my sexist POV, honest!)...

I agree streethawk families shouldn't be like this. Unless this person has been sponging for months and months they should be a bit more generous. No one seems to be thinking this poor person is going through a divorce and needs a lot of support.

u9941843

This is the easiest one for a while.

Of course you should pay a third. It's fine saying you wouldn't have to pay this if you lived alone but then you don't live alone!

When you share a house, you share the bills, that's just the way it goes.

If they're not doing their share of the housework then that's a different matter which you need to sort out separately.

u9941843

matchmade wrote: »

I'm a landlord and I have this same problem in a house I rent to sharers: three of them are working and one is a student. The students says she shouldn't have to pay council tax, the others say why should they pay one-third each rather than a quarter, effectively paying her council tax for her.

As usual the landlord is stuck in the middle when tenants disagree. No doubt some people will say I shouldn't have rented to a student in the first place, but she was by far the best tenant on offer when the room was available, and I wanted a woman to help balance the gender mix in the house. No doubt I'm a mug to some people and for others I will remain an evil rapacious private-sector landlord whatever I say or do, but I offered to pay the council tax for her. Consequently I am paying £80 council tax like the others, and my tenants are all getting an excellent deal!

You sound like a very understanding landlord! However, I would be tempted not to separate the bill from the rent. I would just say that rental of the room is £X. Sometimes tax breaks work in people's favour and sometimes they don't but it shouldn't be down to you to redress the balance.

catbalou1948

Dear mse penelope, NO NO AND NO!!! The council tax bill will be no more and no less because you have moved in. Your two brothers, who you say are both working and I take it are both adults and over 18 yrs of age, are already having to pay full council tax for the property. The only way it would have increased by you moving in is, if there was only one brother already living there alone, as he would have been entitled to 25% single persons discount. This applies where there is only one adult [over the age of 18] living alone, or any other person over the age of 18 yrs is a full time student and has submitted a 'student exemption form' . You do NOT need to pay and 'doing the housework' is more than paying your way!!:T

Sooler

How much does the OP get in benefits?

Sooler

It's the brothers house, it's their decision if they choose to let anyone move in or not and can set the terms.