C/Tax Benefit and multiole occupancy

nottslass_2

Hi,

I've also posted this in the landlords thread.



I own a small 2 bedroom house which I rent out .

1st tenant moved in in Dec 13 and was employed

2nd tenant moved in in feb 14 and although employed was only working part time and has put in a claim for H/B

They both have individual tenancy agreements.

Tenant no1 was made redundant in march so has also put in a claim for Housing /council tax benefit.

The council has apparently classed the property as "house of multiple occupation"and will therefore not pay c/t benefit saying that as landlord I'm the one liable for C/Tax - is this correct ?

can anyone please confirm what is officially classed as a HMO ?

Is it simply because there are 2 tenancy agreements ?


Any help would be very much appreciated

Housing_Benefit_Officer

2 tenancies - landlord liable.

1 tenancy - tenants liable.

CIS

It sounds to me like it's a House in Multiple Occupation for council tax purposes therefore the tenants have no council tax liability and cannot claim council tax support.

It's most likely been deemed a HMO by the council on the basis that the occupants each only have a rental liability for part of the property and pay only their own share of rent for the property. (council tax (liability for owners) regulations 1992 - as amended).