council tax help

goffy63

Im thinking of moving into a house with my friend as im in a cottage with no heating in this weather!

Now, we will have seperate bedrooms as we are not a couple. I will have a bedroom and so will my son. Both my friends name and mine will be on the tenancy.

As Im on housing benefit and recieve council tax benefit, will my friend have to pay full council tax or will he be entitled to some short of discount???

thanks in advance

[Deleted User]

that depends on what benefits you/they currently get or income?

CIS

You are both liable for the full council tax due but you can each claim CTB towards only 50% of the total charge due but you both need to submit separate claims.

Even if you receive a full 50% paid by CTB you are still jointly liable on the other 50% of the council tax.

mitch161

CIS wrote: »

You are both liable for the full council tax due but you can each claim CTB towards only 50% of the total charge due but you both need to submit separate claims.

Even if you receive a full 50% paid by CTB you are still jointly liable on the other 50% of the council tax.

to CIS: which might also answer OP question or give OP help
upon getting council tax benefit sorted the council knew there were 2 names on the tenancy but awarded me (im unemployed) full council tax payment. as the whole of the council tax bill went to me, solely. when i was working

the other person on the tenancy is a friend - no relationship. and due to his own situation with debts is unable to provide me with funds (his wages go to pay his own debts) so i do him a favour of letting him stay rent free as it were.

in your opinion should i be safe from being demanded for over payments or owing money even though no money ever changes my hands(no money from friend/2nd tenant council tax paid direct internally at council offices between benefits department)

CIS

If full CTB has bee paid the it has been paid incorrectly - when there is more than 1 joint tenant then CTB can only be paid for their apportioned share of the charge. Even if the council tax bill (incorrectly) shows only one name then providing the T/Agreement shows 2 names they should only have paid based on 50%.

As joint tenants you are both liable for the council tax and should both be on the bill - although you ca claim up to 50% of the council tax CTB it does not remove your liability for the other 50% of the bill.