Council Tax Help!

sean2215

Hello,

Hoping someone may be able to advise:

I have moved in with my other half and need to declare that there are now two people living at the property for council tax. The problem I have is that when I was living at home with my mum (who is on benefits) I paid rent to her and didnt think twice about council tax until now. (which she hadnt declared me as living there - although I was on the electoral register)

I am worried that I am either going to get her in trouble or be landed with a huge bill for the last few years council tax.

I want to be honest about the situation and do want to pay - but worried I'm going to end up in the sh*t by doing so.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

BitterAndTwisted

You just get onto the Local Authority's Council Tax people and tell them that there is no longer one person living in the property, so they should cancel the 25% single occupancy discount from whatever date applies. I doubt they will ask you the name of the other person who is living there or where you were living before. Please don't panic.

Soot2006

Just fill in "occupants" form on your council website for the new address for the two of you.
If you were on electoral roll, I think the council know you were there anyway, but that's beside the point as not linked to your new situation.

wee_plumb

I've recently done this and they do ask for a previous address for the new occupant.
I used to work within a council tax department and this is so they can link all the addresses that an individual has resided at. They effectively give you a pin and that should, in theory, stay with you for all the time that you stay within that local authority area.

You said your mum was on benefits whilst you stayed with her. She may have been in reciept of council tax benefit and/or housing benefit if she rents her home. You staying there undeclared would have had an effect on these benefits.

I'd just do what one of the other posters has suggested and advise that the singe person discount in not required without offering any further information. Perhaps in an e-mail or letter to the local authority.

sean2215

Thanks for your help - Will let you know how it goes

MacMickster

wee_plumb wrote: »

I'd just do what one of the other posters has suggested and advise that the singe person discount in not required without offering any further information. Perhaps in an e-mail or letter to the local authority.

The council may ask where you were living previously but you are not under any obligation to tell them.

If you prefer to tell them something then the phrase "No Fixed Abode" should suffice.