Council Tax/Renting Question: Moving out, shoud I keep my name on tenancy agreement?

Chris842

Hi,

Me and my girlfriend currently live together in Stockport and both of our names are on the contract. I am moving to London on sunday after getting a job (and I only just found out yesterday, very short notice) so yesteday, I notified the estate agent who does the management of the property on behalf of the landlord so they can take my name off the contract. My girlfriend Yvonne is a student so there will now be no council tax.

The estate agent today told her that she has to pay £150 for a credit check, as they need to do a new contract with just her on it! This sounds really high for a credit check to me and I think they are just trying to make some money.

I'm willing to keep my name on the contract after I'm gone. I actually have to continue paying half of the rent anyway - I owe her money because she did the same for me the last few months when I didnt have a job.

My question is: If I keep my name on the contract, will I have to pay council tax even though I'll be renting and living at someplace in London?

If they try to charge her, I've suggested to her that she could move out and into another house on our estate which would be exactly the same. Theres lots of houses available for rent, some of them are £25 per month cheaper than where we are. She doesnt like this idea, saying it will cost more in the short term (deposit wont come back for a while, and a little bit of it will be lost).

Or can anyone offer any alternative things we could do?

Thanks

pmlindyloo

Council tax is based on your main residence.

However, if your name is still on the tenancy agreement then this could cause a lot of hassle.

The simplest solution is for you to take your name off (presuming your girlfriend passes the credit check and is able to afford the rent on her own) and pay her half the rent as a private arrangement. (could set up a DD for example)

Of course my suggestion depends on whether your girl friend can afford to meet the rent on her own.

If she can't and you have to remain on the tenancy agreement and stay liable for the rent then you can apply to be removed from your council tax liability. Be prepared for lots of questions and providing evidence of your new residence.

Common sense would suggest that you aren't responsible for CT at your old place but remaining on the tenancy agreement will probably cause problems.

Chris842

Thank you, that was a useful reply., knowing now that CT is only based on the main residence

I've since spoken to the council who said I'd need to fill in a change of address form, they would then assess what is the main residence. (on things like where my possessions are, where my post goes, where my family ties are). 2/3 of these are in London. My family live somewhere different - on the wirral.

Have decided to try and keep my name on it, and to prepare for the hassle. Because money is really tight between us at the moment and if we can avoid that £25 charge, it would be really useful to us!

Yorkie1

Are you still in the fixed term part of the tenancy?