council tax - fraud letter

frankie1star

I have received a letter from my Council, advising that the National Fraud Initiative investigations have found that my daughter is living with me, even though I am claiming 25% single person discount. This is very worrying for me, as she hasnt lived with me for a few years, but I do receive her mail. I was under the impression that I could still receive mail for any one. I also register her for electoral roll, as she is very dippy, and probably wouldnt register herself. But I also thought this was allowed, as everyone has a right to vote, even homeless people need a fixed address to receive their voting rights. Please can someone help/advise. I cant remember when she ceased to live with me. She has been lodging on a Mon-Fri basis elsewhere

GwylimT

When you day she is lodging Monday to Friday, does that mean she lives with you at the weekend? Does she pay council tax at her lodgings. To be fair, if she is living with you at weekends, has her post sent to your house and is in the electoral register as being at your house it is going to raise questions.

pmlindyloo

This is one of those 'tricky' ones as far as council tax liability is concerned.

I suspect that only a decision maker will decide about this.

Basically , if your daughter's main residence is your house then she will be liable for council tax.

So, for instance, does she work away and need to stay in lodgings? Are her lodgings on a Monday to Friday basis or a full week and she comes to visit at the weekend?

Does she register anything at her current address? Bank details? Doctors?

You will need to show evidence that she has a lodger's agreement (weekly) - written agreement/letter from landlord - plus any evidence that shows that she is no longer resident at your home.

Putting her on the electoral register is probably what has alerted the authorities.

In itself this would not necessarily show that she is resident there, nor her post coming to you, particularly if she moves around a lot but you do need proof that your home is not her normal residence.

frankie1star

gulp, it's not very clear really, but she hasnt lived at my house for a good couple of years. I also thought on a M-F basis the landlord didnt have to pay council tax and could earn up to £4800 before tax

McKneff

Does she stay with you every weekend. Letters to your house and electoral roll, I think you are in the doo doo,
to be honest.


Why does she lodge elsewhere Monday to Friday, is this for work or what.


Your lack of information is making it sound very dodgy, almost testing us out to see if you have a believable story before you try it out on the council.
Sorry but that's how its coming over.

GwylimT

Where does she live at the weekend?

m_13

frankie1star wrote: »

gulp, it's not very clear really, but she hasnt lived at my house for a good couple of years. I also thought on a M-F basis the landlord didnt have to pay council tax and could earn up to £4800 before tax

The only reason she wouldn't have to pay at her M-F basis is because it's assumed that she is paying council tax at another address and you don't have to pay twice. You seem to be saying that she shouldn't have to pay once! Unless she's exempt she has to pay council tax somewhere. If she lives with you at the weekend but doesn't pay council tax AND doesn't pay council tax where she lives M-F then who do you think is paying for her?

pmlindyloo

m_13 wrote: »

The only reason she wouldn't have to pay at her M-F basis is because it's assumed that she is paying council tax at another address and you don't have to pay twice. You seem to be saying that she shouldn't have to pay once! Unless she's exempt she has to pay council tax somewhere. If she lives with you at the weekend but doesn't pay council tax AND doesn't pay council tax where she lives M-F then who do you think is paying for her?

I see where you are coming from but it doesn't work quite like this.

Someone who lives in a house of multiple occupancy would not be liable for council tax - the landlord is. Therefore it is perfectly possible not to be liable for council tax.

I think you might be have been in favour of the 'poll tax'

McKneff

But the problem here is not the daughter paying council tax.


Its to do with the Mother claiming 25% single persons discount, in council tax and possibly not being entitled to it.
Hence the Fraud letter.

m_13

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I see where you are coming from but it doesn't work quite like this.

Someone who lives in a house of multiple occupancy would not be liable for council tax - the landlord is. Therefore it is perfectly possible not to be liable for council tax.

I think you might be have been in favour of the 'poll tax'

Indeed I was in favour of the poll tax. Still am. Sounds like all the OP needs to do then is show that the person she lodges with during the week isn't claiming the 25% single person discount too and it's all sorted.

frankie1star

ok, explanation through fear of having done something wrong!