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Council tax overlap???

Whiston3
Whiston3 Posts: 10 Forumite
Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
edited 9 December 2014 pm31 6:41PM in House buying, renting & selling
I recently moved from a private let to housing association let. I successfully applied for and got a housing benefit overlap payment as
my old landlord was selling and the housing association could not hold my current place until served my notice.

Today however, I received a council tax bill for the overlap period of 20 days, meaning I was paying council tax on both properties. Not only is the council charging me for a property I no longer lived in but they did not give me the 25% single person discount, so they are actually charging me more than when I lived there.

Can anyone tell me if they are allowed to do this? If they can it might be legal but hardly seems fair!

Also thought council tax was for services used by living in an area and as I am paying at my new address why should I have to pay twice?

Comments

  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Yes councils are allowed to do this. It's something that many renters face every time they move (and homeowners). You can only get your single person discount on one property at anyone time.


    You could contact the council and see if they'll not charge you for the 20 days you weren't in your old home. They can only say no.
  • Many councils now have no allowance for an empty property not to pay council tax like they used to. It's catching out home buyers, renters and landlords alike and is making a fortune for our councils no doubt. So unfortunately and as bonkers as it sounds, it's more expensive to have an empty house than one with a single occupant as far as the council tax payer in concerned - as you've just found out! I guess at least it's only 20 days, could be worse, but I agree it's highly unfair having been stung for 4 months worth at 2 houses when I was only living in one.
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