Electoral roll, council tax and credit

harry10000

Hi

I'd be v grateful if anyone could advise me on my situation.

I want to apply for credit so need to be on the electoral roll for that. I just moved into a flatshare for a couple of months (having been moving around a lot in recent times and so not being on the electoral register as a result of that). I have applied to be on the electoral roll at the local council in this new flatshare, but unbeknown to me, the set-up in the flat (where there are several people who have been there for about a year) is more complicated than I was given to understand before I moved in.

The others rent the flat from a landlord, via an agent. They are students (just now becoming non-students, ie they are graduating). They foot the council tax bill between them. Being students they have, up to now, been entitled to a heavy discount (I believe it's an exemption).

I will only be at the flat for slightly less than 2 months now, having arrived 10 days ago (and having arrived after the date when I believe they become eligible to foot the council tax bill without any exemption due to their graduating). I want to be on the electoral roll to get credit but don't want to cause complications for myself on the council tax front.

Am I right in thinking that because the others are/will be paying the council tax on the property, I don't need to worry about the council tax position at all?

Will my being at the flat, theoretically, affect their status and council tax liability at all or does it not affect it (bearing in mind they are about to have to pay the full amount due)?

Re: the question of whether a council will look up the names of people on the electoral roll and move them on to the council tax liability list, I have read on a number of council websites that councils *don't* do this (due to complications like, inaccuracies that can be produced this way, eg where the landlord pays the council tax; and I believe it was suggested on council sites that it was not legal also). I am aware there is a huge amount of connection/checking between govt departments that goes on these days but that's what it said on a few council sites I looked at, on this, at least!

Sorry for the long post! I believe your long-standing members include experts on these areas! grateful in advance, for your feedback!

Thanks,

Harry

Soot2006

You can be on the electoral roll even if you are not liable for council tax (in fact, you must be on it!) - you simply lodge your personal exemption with the council.

However, for the sake of two months, it doesn't seem worth registered, although it would certainly be the correct thing to split the bill between all residents with liability.

In what capacity are you a resident at the property?

tomtom256

You should still be registered for council tax and paying your share regardless of the others status, although the property sounds like a possible HMO.

CIS

You should still be registered for council tax and paying your share regardless of the others status

Not necessarily - without further information the original post suggests that the OP may be a sub tenant or lodger rather than a tenant but it needs confirmation from the OP.

harry10000

Seems like I'm some kind of subtenant, in a set-up where the others have already got the council tax covered between them, and little paperwork is involved. Perhaps I count as a lodger.

If I go on the electoral roll (I have withdrawn my form from the council) and do no more than this, am I liable to get in trouble myself? As noted I wasn't aware of the set-up when I moved in (needing a roof over my head). Don't want to go elsewhere afterwards and find I'm being chased about this or that; and I guess I need to know if registering for the electoral roll would create complications for the others here (though it seems to be my right/obligation and they didn't tell me about anything when moving in). This is all in confidence yes?! I may just move somewhere else in a few days or a week's time if it is necessary, to avoid getting in to problems as I didn't anticipate anything of this nature on arrival.

harry10000

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CIS

Seems like I'm some kind of subtenant, in a set-up where the others have already got the council tax covered between them, and little paperwork is involved. Perhaps I count as a lodger.

Who is your landlord. ?

william18_2

AFAIK the council does not check electoral roll information against who they are charging for council tax - ie if your name shows up on the electoral roll, it does not mean the council will check who is recorded as living at the property for council tax payment purposes. I believe it is illegal for councils to make this check.

It sounds like CIS would know about this - if s/he works in Council Tax Recovery...?

I imagine that, in theory, if council tax for the property is being paid (without your input) then if you live there for 2 weeks or 2 months, although it may not be an 'official' arrangement and therefore is not to be commended - bearing in mind it is totally illegal for councils to check the electoral roll - then you will not have a problem. (It sounds like it may not be a formal arrangement that you have (?).)

*However*, possibly you might have a problem if you register for any kind of housing allowance claim in future (?) because of having been on the electoral roll at your current address (which you may have to declare on a housing form if you claim in the future at some point?)...ie I would guess that being on the electoral roll now, may raise a question for a new council in the future about why you are not showing up for your old residence (your current one) as having been there, for council tax purposes (?). Again, CIS it seems may know about this?

CIS

It sounds like CIS would know about this - if s/he works in Council Tax Recovery...?

The council can cross reference against the electoral rolls but most don't as a standard measure as its very time consuming and not always accurate. They will occasionally do large scale data matches where information is cross matched on a larger scale.

Some examples of the data matching are given here - http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/national-fraud-initiative/public-sector/case-studies-public-sector/council-tax-case-studies/

I imagine that, in theory, if council tax for the property is being paid (without your input) then if you live there for 2 weeks or 2 months, although it may not be an 'official' arrangement and therefore is not to be commended

If a person is living in a property as their 'sole or main residence' then it should be declared, whether its for 2 days or 2 months.

Jobseeeker

if they are paying the full amount it doesnt matter whether he lives there or not. The bill will not go up because he lives there.

My mum and Dad pay their council tax bill, at various points my sisters and i have moved back and out again when buying flats etc, my mother does not have to inform the council of this because she is paying the full bill and gets no discount or benefits

CIS

if they are paying the full amount it doesnt matter whether he lives there or not. The bill will not go up because he lives there.

Whether it affects the charge or not is not the only issue to consider - legislation is quite specific over who should and should not be named on the council tax demand notices and they need the information to make the determinations.

If the council so wish they can serve legal notice on persons at the property to provide the information.

As an ancillary point being recorded on a council tax account comes in handy for proof of residence.