Council Tax Single Person Discount if Fiance living on abroad for a few months

John_Pierpoint

Two thoughts:
Being a fiance, unlike being a spouse, is not a relationship defined in statute law?
It is a private civil contractual relationship, traditionally recognised in the form of a valuable metal and gemstone item deposited on third finger left hand of the female?

So do I understand this situation correctly:
One branch of government orders a person out of the country, because you have to apply for a visa from your country of origin.
Meanwhile another branch of government taxes that person as though she is still a resident?

Do we need Alice in Wonderland to explain this situation or can I feel an appeal to the court of human rights coming on?

lincroft1710

The status of the relationship is not important, it is the status of residency which matters here. The fiancee intends to return, she is therefore still counted as resident at the address of the OP. If she had been permanently deported, then clearly she could not be still counted as a resident, as she would not be able to return.

Had she been sent to prison however instead of being "temporarily exiled", she would actually have been exempted from paying CT .

zygurat789

Just get her to write you a "Dear John" letter. Her intentions are then much clearer - you can always make it up later.
So long as we are dealing with a females love intentions I don't see how anyone could argue with changes of mind.

katejo

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Two thoughts:
Being a fiance, unlike being a spouse, is not a relationship defined in statute law?
It is a private civil contractual relationship, traditionally recognised in the form of a valuable metal and gemstone item deposited on third finger left hand of the female?

So do I understand this situation correctly:
One branch of government orders a person out of the country, because you have to apply for a visa from your country of origin.
Meanwhile another branch of government taxes that person as though she is still a resident?

Do we need Alice in Wonderland to explain this situation or can I feel an appeal to the court of human rights coming on?

My personal view is that you are being punished for being too honest . I would simply have said that the partner had moved out and gone home . The government can't have its cake and eat it !

fishpond

katejo wrote: »

My personal view is that you are being punished for being too honest . I would simply have said that the partner had moved out and gone home . The government can't have its cake and eat it !

Unfortunately this does appear to be the case.
Ask your fiance to write the letter mentioned:p

bouncingfox

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I really wish I hadn't said moved out for the time being or however I put it.
I think I will try on the grounds that her visa expired, then if needs be in the future can say she isn't coming back, that would be a change of circumstances and not an appeal so can be done at any point. Thanks again, I'll post any outcomes I can.

elmer

The problem with this, is that they may give you the SPD now, but reclaim it back to the date she leaves, when it becomes apparent in the future that she has returned, as you have already told the council.

Most councils have an computerised filing system now, and all correspondence is available to view, so based on your conflicting statements, you may receive quite a large bill on her return.

elmer

katejo

elmer wrote: »

The problem with this, is that they may give you the SPD now, but reclaim it back to the date she leaves, when it becomes apparent in the future that she has returned, as you have already told the council.

Most councils have an computerised filing system now, and all correspondence is available to view, so based on your conflicting statements, you may receive quite a large bill on her return.

elmer

The OP's partner is not living in the Uk and so not using the services paid for by council tax . Why should the OP have to pay for them ?

LittleMax

katejo wrote: »

The OP's partner is not living in the Uk and so not using the services paid for by council tax . Why should the OP have to pay for them ?

Quite simply because it is a tax and not a payment for services received. If it was a payment for services received people without children would not pay for schools and you would only pay for the fire service when you called them out. Or did you think all they do is empty your bin

The Council Tax is a based on property and there is a strict hierarchy of who is responsible laid down in law. Since the OP's partner intends to return, the property is deemed to be her main residence and so they remain liable for council tax.

bouncingfox

Just to let you know i appealed and wrote a letter stating that my Fiancee had left the country and provided evidence of her flight and visa expiry and a few days ago i had a correct council tax bill with the SPD applied.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Richard