Question for anyone who actually works in council tax enforcement

katejo

I have 3 questions for you

1. When a local resident informs you that that he/she wants to have the single person discount reinstated, do you insist that they provide the new address of the departing lodger?

2. If you do this, what happens if the lodger not left an address (or lied about the address) ? Does the resident then have to pay the full rate indefinitely?

3. How does this compare to a new resident who moves into the area and simply informs you/completes a form to say that they are single? How is the new person required to 'prove' that they are single?

Thanks

Car1980

Bit of a loaded question!

If you live on your own, you're entitled to the benefit. It doesn't matter about details of whoever has just left or where they are going and they won't ask for any evidence. Just fill the form in.

If they have reason to believe you're lying they'll investigate further. The penalty is up to £5000 on the form I believe, plus having to pay back any benefit that was stolen.

But people move all the time, so they won't be investigating unless they have reason.

elmer

I would always ask, as you have been for a following address, however if you write to say that you dont know it then I would award you SPD.

However taking this scenario to a tribunal is imho a complete waste of everyones time and money but hey each to their own.

Perhaps you are dealing with someone at the council who is as stubborn as you seem to be?

elmer

katejo

Car1980 wrote: »

Bit of a loaded question!

If you live on your own, you're entitled to the benefit. It doesn't matter about details of whoever has just left or where they are going and they won't ask for any evidence. Just fill the form in.

If they have reason to believe you're lying they'll investigate further. The penalty is up to £5000 on the form I believe, plus having to pay back any benefit that was stolen.

But people move all the time, so they won't be investigating unless they have reason.

Not the view of my local council. I have already made an official appeal and got the reply last night. The council refuses point blank to reinstate the discount unless I provide the address requested. Their online form demands it. I was told yesterday that they will check the address with the new local authority and that they will not give me the discount if the address is incorrect.

katejo

elmer wrote: »

I would always ask, as you have been for a following address, however if you write to say that you dont know it then I would award you SPD.

However taking this scenario to a tribunal is imho a complete waste of everyones time and money but hey each to their own.

Perhaps you are dealing with someone at the council who is as stubborn as you seem to be?

elmer

Calling me stubborn is unfair. Why should I pay the full rate of council tax indefinitely/until I get a new lodger just because I am respecting the privacy of my lodger?

anselld

katejo wrote: »

Calling me stubborn is unfair. Why should I pay the full rate of council tax indefinitely/until I get a new lodger just because I am respecting the privacy of my lodger?

The fifth thread on the same subject. How is that not stubborn!!

Laurajo_2

Why should you get money off if you aren't prepared to prove entitlement?

I had the same palaver when me and my ex partner split. Just give them his new address and it's sorted.

katejo

Laurajo wrote: »

Why should you get money off if you aren't prepared to prove entitlement?

I had the same palaver when me and my ex partner split. Just give them his new address and it's sorted.

Because providing the address proves nothing at all. You could have taken a lodger in after your ex left. My lodger's new address is none of their business.

elmer

I actually said that if you put in writing that you did not know the forwarding address of your lodger, then I would award your Single Person Discount.

However many councils these days will not, due to fraudulent cases, so they require a forwarding address. If your council is one of these, I would write to them as above and see what they say.

It doesnt matter what I think,you're not dealing with me. (thankfully!)

elmer

katejo

elmer wrote: »

I actually said that if you put in writing that you did not know the forwarding address of your lodger, then I would award your Single Person Discount.

However many councils these days will not, due to fraudulent cases, so they require a forwarding address. If your council is one of these, I would write to them as above and see what they say.

It doesnt matter what I think,you're not dealing with me. (thankfully!)

elmer

I am not sure what that 'truthfully' refers to. I could not say that my lodger had done a runner because he hasn't . He is now probably going to give me the address. Why does the council accept a signed statement from a new single resident but not from someone whose lodger has left?

John_Pierpoint

Because there is a large section of the population who are prepared to tell "porkies", especially when they find themselves facing a bill they can no longer afford to pay.
[They also probably hope to track the leaver, remember this is the tax that replaced poll tax].