Re single person council tax discount

katejo

Errata wrote: »

And now you can't because the system has changed. If the council are asking you to provide the lodger's new address, tell them you don't know what it is. It really is as simple as that.

No because I have been told that it is a compulsory requirement

agrinnall

katejo wrote: »

No because I have been told that it is a compulsory requirement

How can it be a compulsory requirement when you genuinely might not know? What if you had had to throw the lodger out and there was no possibility of communication? It depends how far you want to take this, but it sounds to me like the council are making up their own requirements with no legal basis to do so.

Freecall

katejo wrote: »

No because I have been told that it is a compulsory requirement

Says who?

Ask the council to quote the legal basis of their position that receiving the single occupancy benefit is conditional on you providing this (or any other) information.

katejo

Freecall wrote: »

Says who?

Ask the council to quote the legal basis of their position that receiving the single occupancy benefit is conditional on you providing this (or any other) information.

Yes that is my personal opinion too but I wanted to see if I had any support on MSE before taking further action. I have already made my point clear to the Council Tax office but it has been rejected.

Have a look at the earlier responses I got eg. from JamesML

Waltham Forest Council requires all residents who currently receive the discount to complete a form to confirm their single occupant status. I have said that I will do that but they are not satisfied.
If my lodger did give me an address and I supplied it to them and it turned out to be false then what?

katejo

agrinnall wrote: »

How can it be a compulsory requirement when you genuinely might not know? What if you had had to throw the lodger out and there was no possibility of communication? It depends how far you want to take this, but it sounds to me like the council are making up their own requirements with no legal basis to do so.

Yes I agree but I have had limited support. I put this question on the buying/renting section to see if others had had similar demands. Some seem to think that I am making unreasonable demands.

I will probably get a new lodger in the spring but don't want to pay the full rate between now and then.

molerat

Write an official complaint. They must answer and if you are not satisfied you then pass it up to the local government ombudsman. About time these jumped up little hitlers got a kick up the backside. Since hen were we guilty until proved innocent.

Looking at their website it seems that they are sending out letters to everyone claiming single occupier discount and unless you reply the discount will be removed. Seem like a nice bunch.

Errata

Looking at their website it seems that they are sending out letters to everyone claiming single occupier discount and unless you reply the discount will be removed. Seem like a nice bunch.

A great many councils are doing this, it's not unique.

katejo

molerat wrote: »

Write an official complaint. They must answer and if you are not satisfied you then pass it up to the local government ombudsman. About time these jumped up little hitlers got a kick up the backside. Since hen were we guilty until proved innocent.

Looking at their website it seems that they are sending out letters to everyone claiming single occupier discount and unless you reply the discount will be removed. Seem like a nice bunch.

Yes I have seen this but I am not a current claimant. My lodger has not quite moved out. I have also looked at the form for new applications. It demands the name and new address of anyone who is moving out and threatens prosecution if I give incorrect information. How does any landlord know for sure that the lodger has given a correct address. At least one of my past lodgers has failed to do this. So in effect, in their view, I should always have to pay the full rate. Guilty until proven innocent.

Just not sure who to contact next.

katejo

Errata wrote: »

A great many councils are doing this, it's not unique.

I don't object to that. I only object to the fact that they will not accept a sole occupancy statement from me and insist on having my lodger's new address. How does any landlord know for sure that it is correct?

Errata

Have you asekd the council why it's insisting on the new address?