Council Tax Benefit enquiry

bery_451

Hi,


I am speaking on behalf of someone who has 50% equity each in 2 council houses that were bought within in the last decade or so.


The person is unemployed receiving income support and carers allowance meaning living at both properties. Caring/living in one property and living in the other so living at those 2 properties basically. The person she cares for is a claimant of high rate disability living allowance.


Is the person liable to pay council tax in any of the properties?

tomtontom

bery_451 wrote: »

Hi,


I am speaking on behalf of someone who has 50% equity each in 2 council houses that were bought within in the last decade or so.


The person is unemployed receiving income support and carers allowance meaning living at both properties. Caring/living in one property and living in the other so living at those 2 properties basically. The person she cares for is a claimant of high rate disability living allowance.


Is the person liable to pay council tax in any of the properties?

I'm actually lost for words.

Poppie68

tomtontom wrote: »

I'm actually lost for words.

I have 're-read it 3 times to just make sure it says what I read the first time.

marliepanda

They are of course liable for council tax at their own home.

Depending on whether they count themselves as living at the other property or simply caring in that property depends on whether they are liable for council tax in that property. Whether they live at the 'caring' property may also have implications in that persons benefits as well.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

How can they get income support when they own another property?

kingfisherblue

Yes, they will have to pay council tax. I'm a carer on income Support (but with only one house - mortgaged - to my name!) and I pay CT. Admittedly it is a lower amount.


I receive a discount because we have a downstairs wetroom with disability aids for my son's use. I receive 25% discount as the only adult in the property. I then receive a further discount (council tax support).


A few years ago, anyone in receipt of IS didn't pay CT, but this changed. Personally, I think that everyone should pay something.


If the person referred to in the OP has two properties, it seems fair to pay CT on both, as they will receive services for both addresses. They will, however, pay a lower amount because they receive IS.

ceecee1

kingfisherblue wrote: »

If the person referred to in the OP has two properties, it seems fair to pay CT on both, as they will receive services for both addresses. They will, however, pay a lower amount because they receive IS.

The problem is that they more than likely shouldn't be receiving income support as they have a capital asset (ie 50% ownership of a property that is not their main residence)

McKneff

How could anyone own half of two council houses ?

Ames

Wouldn't the capital limit depend on how much the properties were worth? If less than £16k they might still be entitled to IS?

I don't really know how it works with property, so I could be wrong.

bery_451

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Yes, they will have to pay council tax. I'm a carer on income Support (but with only one house - mortgaged - to my name!) and I pay CT. Admittedly it is a lower amount.


I receive a discount because we have a downstairs wetroom with disability aids for my son's use. I receive 25% discount as the only adult in the property. I then receive a further discount (council tax support).


A few years ago, anyone in receipt of IS didn't pay CT, but this changed. Personally, I think that everyone should pay something.


If the person referred to in the OP has two properties, it seems fair to pay CT on both, as they will receive services for both addresses. They will, however, pay a lower amount because they receive IS.

When did this new law came in exactly few years ago where unemployed people have to pay council tax at a reduced rate?


So you confirming that a person claiming income support and carers allowance has to pay council tax but at a reduced rate?


Or basically what you saying is anyone who is employed or unemployed has to pay some council tax at least?


So who or what are the eligibility to be 100% exempt from council tax?

marliepanda

bery_451 wrote: »

So you confirming that a person claiming income support and carers allowance has to pay council tax but at a reduced rate?


Or basically what you saying is anyone who is employed or unemployed has to pay some council tax at least?


So who or what are the eligibility to be 100% exempt from council tax?

Students, children, thats about it. I am fairly sure all councils require everyone of working age who isn't a student to contribute something at least.

Why have you ignored ALL the questions about the ownership of two properties?