Question about Council Tax

guest97

Have any of you people who are living on your own received a letter requesting information on Sole Adult Residency Review?
Does everyone living on their own receiving 25% council tax discount receive a letter stating them to include how many people living at the property and that the council has carried out a data matching exercise with an external agency.

miduck

This is common, whilst not everyone receives than annually, it is nothing out of the ordinary.

RAS

A lot of Councils have tied up with Experien to check for other householders at the addresses where Single Person's allowance is claimed. Also cross-referencing with electorla roll.

Heycock

Different LA's have their own approach...some check more than others. I get 25% because of my wife's dementia....every year I get a simple form to confirm her status...Not really necessary now because I get CTB but it's a small thing to have to do. And yes, many councils use Experian or Equifax to spot households with more than the one stated adult. They can't rely on their own voters roll because alot of people stay off it in the mistaken belief it keeps them off the radar. This started with the poll tax when some sought to avoid payment by "disappearing". Experian@s methods are a little bit more sophisticated.
I wouldn't worry unless you're claiming the discount and you've got more adults in the house than they know about.

guest97

I'm a little worried because I've had someone stay here for three nights a week and they sometimes had stuff mailed to the house. They automatically put me on the discount due to being the only one here.

RAS

Does the person staying three nights pay CT at another address?

guest97

no they don't, lives with parents but not on any electoral roll

RAS

In which case their parents pay Council Tax, I suspect.

Are they registered with a GP at their parents address? Bank account?

paddedjohn

Sounds like you are claiming benefits as a single person while your partner stay over 3 nights a week (the so called imaginary magic number before you have to declare you are living together). Am I far off the mark OP?

guest97

RAS, that's correct, the parents do pay council tax. Also registered with a GP and Bank account at that address.

paddedjohn - no I'm not claiming any benefits. The other person is on benefits.

paddedjohn

Ok apologies for that, what you need to do is gather up as much proof as you can that your partner is not resident at your place and is living with their parents.