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Council tax confusion

microserfs
Posts: 30 Forumite
Hey all!
I've just recently moved into a shared house with 5 other people and since I had to let the previous council know I had moved, I have got myself in a bit of a confused state over understanding council tax.
Since it's housing of multiple occupants, I am aware that the landlord covers the council tax (as it is included in the rent). However, although I know I don't have to worry about paying and so forth, I was wondering whether the council tax is calculated per room or per number of occupants.
The house is only a two storey so it doesn't need extra licensing (I checked) but I'm curious as next year me and my boyfriend are wanting to move in together and will have to worry about things like council tax. I'm wanting to know how it works should there be no landlord to cover the rent.
Does the landlord/tenant get charged the rate on the whole property for its banding? Or is it done on each person?
Sorry for all the confusing questions - I hope this made some sense!
I've just recently moved into a shared house with 5 other people and since I had to let the previous council know I had moved, I have got myself in a bit of a confused state over understanding council tax.
Since it's housing of multiple occupants, I am aware that the landlord covers the council tax (as it is included in the rent). However, although I know I don't have to worry about paying and so forth, I was wondering whether the council tax is calculated per room or per number of occupants.
The house is only a two storey so it doesn't need extra licensing (I checked) but I'm curious as next year me and my boyfriend are wanting to move in together and will have to worry about things like council tax. I'm wanting to know how it works should there be no landlord to cover the rent.
Does the landlord/tenant get charged the rate on the whole property for its banding? Or is it done on each person?
Sorry for all the confusing questions - I hope this made some sense!
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Comments
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Council tax is charged on each property according to it's band. The number of people living there doesn't matter unless it's just one person and then they can apply for a discount.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
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Your landlord will be paying the normal full council tax for the property even if there are five or more people there.
How he gets his money from his tenants is up to him.0 -
Where the property is not a HMO, the tenant is charged the whole amount payable for the band, there is a 25% discount if there is only one adult occupier.If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales0
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And to clarify further, the 'band' depends on the value/size of the property, not the number of people living there.
(Remember, or ever heard of, the 'Poll Tax?' - Maggie Thatcher introduced it, and this was charged per person not per property, so a small flat with 6 people paid more than a big property with 2 people. After the Poll Tax Riots, Maggie had to abolish it and we now have Council Tax)0 -
Ah okay, thanks
That clears up the confusion greatly!
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Council tax is charged on each property according to it's band. The number of people living there doesn't matter unless it's just one person and then they can apply for a discount.
It could be more than 1 person and still receive a reduction providing the other occupiers are disregarded for council tax purposes.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0
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