Council Tax discount - absent son

Annie_07

Hi.
I moved jobs/sold and bought new house at opposite end of the country. My son (20yrs) reluctantly and eventually (he stayed down there for a while and then went to my sisters) followed me for 9mths and got a job but has packed in his job and has gone travelling for three months before going to University back where we originally lived (for his whole life). He has made it really clear to me that my home (and new City) is not his at all. I told my local council that my son had left to go travelling and that he'd made it clear that this is not his home and he will be going to University and that I wanted the single person discount re-applied (as it was before he moved up here). They are being incredibly difficult and visited today to inspect (I was at work). I feel quite bullied and as if they are trying to catch me out.
What are the rules on this please and can they insist that this is his main residence? His mail still comes here because frankly he doesn't have anywhere else to send it. The ridiculous thing is that come mid Sept they will have to apply the discount if they regard this as his main residence.
I feel bad enough that I have caused my son this disruption but don't see why I should pay full council tax when I am living here alone.

Help please - I feel caught in their anti-fraud campaign! I am a law abiding system and actually work for a local authority.

Thanks

sulkisu

Have they actually refused your claim for the single person discount? If not and they are simply checking to ensure that your claim is valid, then there is no need to feel persecuted - they are just ensuring that you are entitled to the discount.