Council Tax once course has ended

trying_to_juggle

My son lived in a shared house in Bristol for the three years he was studying there and of course was exempt from council tax. His contract on the room ran in line with the academic year from 1st Sept to 31st Aug each year, with the rent payable from Sept to June. His course ended on the 30th June 2011 and now Bristol City Council have sent each of the tennants a county court summons for unpaid council tax for the period 1st July to 31st August. Most of the group moved out in July including my son, just returning to the house for the handover on 31st August but they are being told they are liable for the council tax for this period is this correct?

agrinnall

Yes it is. I would suggest your son contacts the council asap to see if the court action can be stopped by offering immediate payment. It is likely that all of the occupants can be held liable for the full amount due, given that it's only 2 months CT it might be easiest for one person to pay it and get their shares back from each of the others afterwards. If you want more advice I'd suggest posting in the Cutting Tax board where a number of CT experts can be found.

CIS

IF your son ceased to have the property as his 'sole or main residence' and there were other joint tenants still living in the property then he is not liable for the period - the liability would fall on the residents. IF they had all vacated then they would be jointly liable for that period.

yertiz_2

Hi, I am a bit confused here as I was under the impression that students sharing a house were not liable for council tax, or is that only if they inform the council at the beginning of the let?

jennifernil

You are correct, but once their course is finished, and they are going to graduate, they cease to be students and so become liable.

woodenstreets

yeah, he needs to pay the CT as oon as possible.