Council Tax, Single person discount

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Mick888
Mick888 Posts: 2 Newbie
in Benefits & tax credits
Hello,
Hoping you guys can give me some advice.

My girlfriend and myself own our own properties. My girlfriend lives at mine usually 5-6 days a week and then us at hers the other 1 or 2 days.
We both have a council tax single person discount on our properties.
I've recently received a letter asking me to confirm my discount still applies .
If I say my girlfriend now lives with me, I will loose the discount but she will also loose the discount?
Any advice?
Thanks in advance.

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  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    It all depends on where her 'sole or main residence' lies - if it's at your house then the discounts will have to end.
    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.
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 12,938 Forumite
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    She'll lose the single occupancy discount, but might then be eligible for a empty home discount - it'll depend on the individual council
  • specialboy
    specialboy Posts: 1,436 Forumite
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    p00hsticks wrote: »
    She'll lose the single occupancy discount, but might then be eligible for a empty home discount - it'll depend on the individual council

    Councils don't do empty house discounts anymore and some of them actually charge 150% for empty properties.
  • 10pence
    10pence Posts: 348 Forumite
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    specialboy wrote: »
    Councils don't do empty house discounts anymore and some of them actually charge 150% for empty properties.


    Really?
    Empty property discount

    Unfurnished (exempt for up to two months) followed by zero reduction for up to 2 years. Properties which remain empty and unfurnished for 2 years will be charged an additional 50% Empty Property Premium.

    Info source: LINK

    As someone said it is down to individual councils over empty properties.

    She could always move in permanently and rent out her property.
  • specialboy
    specialboy Posts: 1,436 Forumite
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    10pence wrote: »
    Really?



    Info source: LINK

    As someone said it is down to individual councils over empty properties.

    She could always move in permanently and rent out her property.
    Ok so Liverpool give 2 months free but after that its 100% for 2 years then 150% after that. Years ago you could get upto 2 years free for empty houses as I did when my Dad died.
  • Mick888
    Mick888 Posts: 2 Newbie
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    Thanks for replies.
    By the looks of it, I'll lose my discount (fair enough) but she will also lose her discount (even thou the property will be empty). The council will earn more in council tax even thou the property and people haven't changed :(
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