Council Tax Liability

AlphaCrust

Hi Guys,

Can anybody offer any advice / information on the following:

The other day I received a letter from the local council stating that I was liable for a £601 council tax bill dating back to 2003. :shocked:

Background
During a period of Feb 2003 - Aug 2003 I rented a house from a work colleague's father. From what I can remember I may well have signed some form of contract but never discussed how or who was paying council tax at the time.

During my stay two other people lived in the house, as well as the landlords father showing up and using the house when he felt like it.

I believe the only way the council have managed to get in touch with myself is because I was paying most of the utility bills and my name has been traced via those.

Whilst there I don't think I received any form of payment for utility bills from other members of the house and discussions on how council tax was going to be paid was never brought up. It's been 7 years!! I couldn't even tell you the other occupants names!

Anybody know how I stand ? Can the council seriously chase a 7 year old debt ? Should I be liable bearing in mind payment was never discussed and there was at least 2 other people in the house at the time ?

Called into the bank again today in the hope of trying to find some account details that may well tie in with when I was at the address. Even the bank can't help out because I no longer bank with them and it's too far back for them to hold records.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Paul.

rdpro

afaik all financial liability/dispute has a 6 year limit *unless* you agree to being the debtor.

unholyangel

rdpro wrote: »

afaik all financial liability/dispute has a 6 year limit *unless* you agree to being the debtor.

If you read the other thread on this here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2627049


You'll see council tax debt is not subject to the same limitations as other debts. I'm not really aware of debt regulations other than the basics.

The OP might be better posting in the debt part of the forum?

Freddie_Snowbits

Question 1 Did you live in the house and have your bins emptied every week.

Then YOU are responsible for the Council tax and no it is not a limited debt. As you have used the benefits from the council, it is now time for you to pay for them.

Ignorance may have been bliss, but stupidity is not

PZH

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Then YOU are responsible for the Council tax......

Not quite true.

http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/counciltaxforflatsbedsitsandshar

( Yes, I know this is not necessarily your Council Borough - but the principle will be the same )

"Determining liability is more complicated in the case of shared houses. Where the dwelling has been adapted for use by more than one 'household' (ie. an individual or a family unit), or where individual tenancy agreements allow exclusive use of part only of the dwelling with other facilities (such as kitchen or bathroom) shared, then the property will deemed to be a 'house in multiple occupation' and the owner or landlord will be liable for Council Tax. Otherwise the occupant(s) of the property will be liable. If you believe your property should be be classed as a house in multiple occupation please contact the Council Tax office"

Thread might be better on the "House Buying, Renting & Selling" board

CIS

Unless the other occupiers of the poperty has the same level of agreement as yourself then under s6 of the local goverment fiance act 1992 you would be the person liable for the council tax as you had the licence to use the propery/tenancy of the property.

In the case that the other occupiers did hold the same level of agreement to use the property then you would be all jointly liable for any outstanding council tax and the council can pursue any of you for the full balance due.

The fact the L/L's father stayed at the property as and when would likely not make the property his sole or main residence and he would not be looked at with regards to the council tax liability


Providing a Liability Order is obtained within 6 years of the balance becoming due then the council can continue to pursue and use the powers they have been granted, If they dont have the Liability Order then they can hassle you but they have no further recovery powers.

cyberbob

You'll have to pay it.