re. resumption of single person council tax discount after lodger leaves

katejo

This is further to my previous query on this subject. I was surprised to hear over the phone from my local council tax office that I will not be able to resume the single person council tax discount unless I provide the new address of my departing lodger. He (understandably) is not keen on giving this to them. I have emailed the council and just said that he is relocating to Devon (which is true). I have also pointed out that I have always informed them promptly if I have no longer been entitled to this discount. I have never defaulted on payment either.

I don't yet have a response from the council. Is it really the case that all local councils are clamping down on this? What happens if a lodger simply does a runner so the homeowner has no address for them? Is he/she then stuck with paying the full rate indefinitely?

anselld

Why do you think the answer will be any different from when you last posted ?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4804515

katejo

anselld wrote: »

Why do you think the answer will be any different from when you last posted ?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4804515

I said that this was to follow my previous query. I just wanted to know this time whether others had had the same response from their local council tax office.

G_M

My advice?

If your lodger can't or won't provide you with details of where they are going to live, make sure that you have signed, written confirmation from them of the date they are moving out.

You can also do a formal written statement declaring that you are the sole [adult] occupant.

(thanx tBagpuss!)

katejo

G_M wrote: »

My advice?

If your lodger can't or won't provide you with details of where they are going to live, make sure that you have signed, written confirmation from them of the date they are moving out.

You can also do a formal written statement declaring that you are the sole [adult] occupant.

(thanx tBagpuss!)

Yes that is what I was going to do. My lodger has agreed to this (not even sure if he definitely has a permanent address in Devon yet). I went online to the council website discount application form and it specifically asks for his new address as a compulsory entry. I have emailed them about it and I'm awaiting their reply.
I would just be interested to know whether other councils are making this same requirement.

jamie11

I think I'd be tempted to make up an address, such as c/o HM Forces or HMP or similar, but then I'm well into the whisky at present.

katejo

jamie11 wrote: »

I think I'd be tempted to make up an address, such as c/o HM Forces or HMP or similar, but then I'm well into the whisky at present.

I don't think this would be a good idea as I suspect that my local council would check the address with the Devon council. Why else would they ask for an exact address?

nidO

I have no idea whether there are any legal pitfalls with the idea, but after your current lodger moves out maybe you could take in a friend or family member as a lodger for, say, a day (and ensure you get a nice appropriate lodger agreement for that day drawn up and signed) then have your family member "move out", and just give the council their address.
You have then gone from having a lodger (for only a day should be immaterial) to not having one any more, and have the forwarding address to prove it.

olly300

nidO wrote: »

I have no idea whether there are any legal pitfalls with the idea, but after your current lodger moves out maybe you could take in a friend or family member as a lodger for, say, a day (and ensure you get a nice appropriate lodger agreement for that day drawn up and signed) then have your family member "move out", and just give the council their address.
You have then gone from having a lodger (for only a day should be immaterial) to not having one any more, and have the forwarding address to prove it.

Having them for a few weeks would be more realistic.

There are people who need somewhere to stay temporarily for work purposes in the week.

katejo

olly300 wrote: »

Having them for a few weeks would be more realistic.

There are people who need somewhere to stay temporarily for work purposes in the week.

Thanks for the suggestions but no. I am taking a short break from having a lodger to get the room redecorated .

katejo

G_M wrote: »

My advice?

If your lodger can't or won't provide you with details of where they are going to live, make sure that you have signed, written confirmation from them of the date they are moving out.

You can also do a formal written statement declaring that you are the sole [adult] occupant.

(thanx tBagpuss!)

The council has replied to say that I HAVE to provide my lodger's address. I have replied to say that this does not prove that I have not got a new lodger. I can only assume that they want to inform his new council. I have no objection to a formal written statement . I have made a complaint to my local MP