Council tax in shared house

ctb1982

Hi all,

I recently moved into a friends house, and he became my landlord so I now rent a bedroom from him, I am on JSA and applied for HB which I got.

I didn't apply for CTB as it's included in the rent and clearly says that in the tenancy agreement I gave in with my HB application.

Yesterday however I got a CTB bill through, with my name on it, saying the CT rates for the house etc, as if I own the house, even though I am renting a room and the landlord pays the CT and it states that on tenancy, which is why I never applied for CTB.

Something seems bit wrong, it's as if the council think I am renting the house and I live here alone (Even though the tenancy agreement clearly says it's a houseshare and all bills are included), and even though on the letter it says I don't have to pay anything as I am on JSA, I never applied for CTB at all.

Does that mean when I do start work I will have to pay the monthly council tax even though the landlord already pays it? I don't get why I would get that bill like you would if you just moved into your own property.

Thanks

HappyMJ

Write to the council and tell them you are not responsible for the bill. The live-in landlord in always responsible for the bill.

ctb1982

HappyMJ wrote: »

Write to the council and tell them you are not responsible for the bill. The live-in landlord in always responsible for the bill.

I am thinking of going down there today, I just don't understand why it happened as everything clearly states it's a house share and is inclusive of all bills.

Thanks

HappyMJ

ctb1982 wrote: »

I am thinking of going down there today, I just don't understand why it happened as everything clearly states it's a house share and is inclusive of all bills.

Thanks

Just as long as you put it in writing and get the response in writing. Verbally they might say something then not actually do it and you then have no proof.

ctb1982

HappyMJ wrote: »

Just as long as you put it in writing and get the response in writing. Verbally they might say something then not actually do it and you then have no proof.

Okay, I will do both, I think, rather try and get this sorted asap, but will also write to confirm the changes.

But what could they do anyway? The CT is being paid for this property, so it's not like no-one is paying it.

I will get it sorted however, but if it's being paid it's being paid.

HappyMJ

ctb1982 wrote: »

Okay, I will do both, I think, rather try and get this sorted asap, but will also write to confirm the changes.

But what could they do anyway? The CT is being paid for this property, so it's not like no-one is paying it.

I will get it sorted however, but if it's being paid it's being paid.

It's not as simple as that. The council tax bill in your name should not be being paid. You could terminate the tenancy in January and then apply for a refund of overpaid council tax and the refund cheque will be written out to you and not the person who is paying it on your behalf.

ctb1982

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's not as simple as that. The council tax bill in your name should not be being paid. You could terminate the tenancy in January and then apply for a refund of overpaid council tax and the refund cheque will be written out to you and not the person who is paying it on your behalf.

Oh, I see.

Ok, thanks mate, I will go down there today and also write, no idea why they done one in my name though.

And when you say paying it on my behalf? Does that mean his council tax goes up?

HappyMJ

ctb1982 wrote: »

Oh, I see.

Ok, thanks mate, I will go down there today and also write, no idea why they done one in my name though.

And when you say paying it on my behalf? Does that mean his council tax goes up?

If you are getting a bill and you say it's being paid then the council tax should be the full 100% of the bill in your name only so if he is paying it he is paying it on your behalf which he shouldn't be so the bill should really go unpaid, withdrawn and reissued under the correct name. He won't get another bill for the same property.

They probably did it under your name as he may have notified them that you had moved in and not filled out the change of circumstances form correctly and assumed he moved out.

ctb1982

If you are getting a bill and you say it's being paid then the council tax should be the full 100% of the bill in your name only

Yep, that's what it was, as if I owned the property.

ctb1982

Just rung them up, woman was very helpful.

Basically said though they had no record of a letter being sent out to me, I assured her I got it and she said the council tax is under landlords name and only goes through him, and also sent out form for him to fill out because he can no longer get 25% off as single person but can in something called 2nd adult rebate because I am on JSA.

She basically said to ignore it because on the systems it's not under my name at all.

wiccanlou

Never ever rely on them to do anything correctly, you should have asked for it in writing and if you hadn't received anything by this time next week call again and ask why. If they need evidence go down there with your evidence and get a receipt for it.

As your are on JSA it is right that he would get a 2nd adult rebate as you are not do not pay CT as such.