Council Tax help

Batman12

Hi there!

So I was a student during the 2013/2014 year. I handed my letting agency/landlord my letter saying I was student and I don't have to pay council tax.

Last Xmas, i had a letter saying I owed £1400 + court fees for not paying it. Saying I wasn't a student at the time. I emailed the letting agency asking if they can send my documents over to them so it can get sorted.

Over a month now and I keep getting in contact with the letting agency asking for updates and they say they're still looking for it. I can't speak to my university because we had a disagreement over Fees so they won't send me another letter.

I understand I'm responsible but I think I've done all that I can. What else can I do if the letting agency won't get their act together? Can I not tell council I've done what I can and the landlord should sort this out? Can I make a complaint? The house itself wasn't maintained at all as there was a lot of damp that wasn't fix but we made a lot of complaints about.

Thank you

tomtontom

Was this a HMO or a normal tenancy?

lincroft1710

As occupier you are responsible for paying the council tax, not the landlord, unless it is designated a HMO for CT purposes, but if a F/T student you would be exempt.

Have you no proof you were a F/T student?

Batman12

The only proof I had was that letter I gave to my letting agency. They have the only copy and I can't get another one.

CIS

If it's a HMO then it's the L/L responsible for paying although they (not the council) could chase you for any charge which they have had to pay.

If it wasn't a HMO then the L/L or Agent has no part in the matter and you need to deal with the council yourself as involving a 3rd party delays and complicates the issue.

The good news is that the dispute with the university is neither here nor there when it comes to proving you were a student as there are certain obligations they have to legally abide with. The bad news is that the university don't have to provide a council tax student certificate after this length of time (Schedule 1, section 5(3) of the LGFA 1992.).

Most councils have a good relationship with the universities in their area and can check directly with them if they have your student number etc.