Council Tax Single Occupant rate-postal address

fiveflipflops

HI

My wife and I are currently sailing around the world and have been for the last 7 years.

We let out our "home" in Northampton. We use my mothers house as our postal address for bank statement etc as they will not accept a PO box address. We do return to UK for about 14-21 days a year and visit/stay at my mother house (7Days) as well as visit other family and friends. We do not have items stored there. Her local council (BATH) are taking the view that my mother can no longer claim Single Occupant rate due her house also being our home.

This has just come about to a review on the property, Do not know why.

My Mother is 78 and worried sick.We are currently in Thailand. Called the council, the only redress is to appeal. Is the council correct in taking this view. Any help/advise would be appreciated.

David

Ms_Magnetite

Tell them you dispute this as you aren't living there.

Then take it up with the appropriate director. I am sure they don't want features in the Echo that they are upsetting elderly ladies by insisting that they are lying and that family do live with them when it is fairly obvious that they don't.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

fiveflipflops wrote: »

HI

My wife and I are currently sailing around the world and have been for the last 7 years.

So you and your wife pay no council tax at all, as I presume the folks who are renting your 'home' pay for that property.

My Mother is 78 and worried sick.

So why don't you and your wife pay the 25% between you and remove the worry for your mother, sure you wouldn't miss it from the state pensions that you are no doubt still receiving?

You set off 7 years ago, when do you expect to be finished?

WestonDave

Email Councillor Malcolm Hanney who is the cabinet member in charge of finances and resources, explain the situation, and ask him to get it sorted. I don't agree with a lot of his policies but he does come across as a reasonable man. Contact details here - http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=115

If you still don't get anywhere, email the Bath Chronicle (details on thisisbath.co.uk). I would imagine this sort of story would be ideal for them.

CIS

Initially the council are correct for sole or main residence purposes to look at it as your possible home and investigate the discount which has been awarded.

They have a duty to ensure the discounts are correct (fraud is rife, and pensioners are often the worst offenders) however you need to now provide them with the further information regarding where you are living and the circumstances. If you have never used the property as your home and you only stay here on holiday then (I'm assuming you dont have a home in the UK anymore ?) you wont be classed as resident.

Until they have the information they are aware only that further people are resident at the property and not the circumstances - at this stage I think going to a councillor or a newspaper is a bit extreme.

Give them a written statement of whats happening and they can then review it . If you cant reach a decision with them regarding the discount an appeal can then be made to the Valuation Tribunal who will review the case and make a formal decision.