Council Tax

dot111

This may be on the wrong page, but I'm sure someone will know the answer.
My ex stays with a woman 3 nights a week, they are a "couple".
The rest of the week he lives in a hotel. Should he pay council tax?
I know he doesn't, but I've just made a claim with the CSA and the lady said they will find where he lives.
Thanks

Bogof_Babe

Council Tax applies to the property not the individuals, so if his girlfriend is paying it then there's no problem. However if she is claiming the 25% single occupancy discount then the Council might take a dim view if they find out.

Where does he keep his things and have his mail delivered? Is the hotel a B&B type place (which could count as a permanent address I suppose) or a night-to-night stopover, perhaps paid by his employer?

Morglin

I'm not sure 3 nights a week is classed as "living there".

He's not responsible, his girlfriend is.

SHELTER give good advice.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-1005.cfm

Lin

dot111

His belongings are there, his post goes there, he stays in same hotel, paid for by employer.

Bogof_Babe

So the issue is really whether his g/f is claiming the 25% discount for ostensibly living alone. Even if she is, and even if the three nights a weeks is considered to be cohabiting (I am not sure on that point) then if the g/f's house is in her sole ownership or tenancy then it is her responsibility to pay whatever C/Tax is due on it.

I don't think they could come after your ex for outstanding C/T as the property is not in his name.

CIS

It alll depends on his 'sole or main residence' as to whether a single person discount is applicable or not , it depends on a lot of different points and the determination is usualy made by a senior officer execept in the most obvious cases.

But, as his belongings are there and it sounds like he would return to the property if he finished with his employer then he would be deemed to have his main residence at the house and not the hotel. There is case law for a house being main residence even if a person lives away for work purposes.



If he is deemed to be living there then as a couple they are both jointly and severely liable for the council tax on the property, otherwise he is not liable.