Council Tax: Main Home

henrygregory

Hi there, I am looking for a little clarification on what constitutes a main home, or if I can have two as a main home?

I have been living with my mother for all of my life. We are both listed down on our council tax bill and pay annually.

I have just got a rental place with my girl friend - we want to see if we can afford a place of our own and it gives us a chance to try living together.

The place we have got it around 36 minutes away from my mum's place. I am heavily involved in local charitable activities and chair a number of forums and committees. As such, I will still be living with my mother, and staying at our (me and the girlfriend) new rental place in between all of this.

What am I to do about council tax? I am more than happy to pay tax for both places, but I do remember when filling out the council tax for my mother's place, that I am down as it being my main home. Am I allowed to have two main homes? I am assuming so as it means the council get double bubble in terms of income?

Any clarification on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Pixie5740

The council will get council tax for both properties regardless of which one is your main home because both properties will be occupied.

If you are flying the nest and moving in with your girlfriend then I would say that is your main home. Is the property with your girlfriend the one where you will register to vote? The address the bank will have for you?

If you've moved out of your mother's then contact the council and let them know. If your mother is now living alone bar the odd evening you spend visiting, and there are no other adults in the property she could claim a single person's discount of 25% on the council tax.

libf

You need to pick one as your main home, which will be where your banking/driving license/doctors is registered too. The other property will be eligible for a 25% reduction in council tax due to only having one occupant. This doesn't stop you from sleeping at the other place.

pmlindyloo

You have to make the decision as to which will be your main residence. If it continues to be your mother's then your girl friend will be eligible for a 25% discount.

If it is your girl friend's then your mum will get the 25% discount.

So it is important that you make the decision.

Questions which may help.

Are you named on the tenancy agreement?

Where are you registered to vote?

Which address do you have for your mail/bank/employment/doctors/etc?

Where do you keep most of your clothes/belongings?

It is extremely important that once you decide on your main residence that you inform the appropriate councils as this will affect council tax discounts/any means tested benefits that your mum/girlfriend may claim.