Council Tax and Letting

jackmarnie

I was letting my flat on a 1 year AST while I relocated 170 miles for work. The tenant presented himself as a single person and was responsible for all the bills including Council tax. I had no issues with him.

Since I temporarily moved back for a couple of months and took possession of my flat I have been received a council tax demand for £355.04 addressed to the previous occupant. He was claiming for single persons discount while at least 1 other person was here.

I found this out when I called the council to advise them of the situation. The council said a data search was conducted by a third party (this was 10-days before he moved out) and it showed at least two people resident at the flat so he was charged the full amount less what he paid; which was the right amount for a single person he paid.

I was told to write to the council and explain, which I did.

I didnt hear anything for several weeks and today, I can see there is a Court Summons for non payment; addressed to this previous tenant which has arrived.

He left a forwarding address about 15 minutes away which I visited, but he is unknown there and the number I have isn't picking up.

Also we have had an offer on our flat some weeks ago, which we are selling so we can relocate permenantly. We exchanged this week with completion at the end of August (2-days after the Summons court hearing). Will the summons on our address effect the sale and completion?

Should I ignore the summons for him or is it address specific?

My OH is heavily pregnant and I don't really want baliffs turning up and stressing us as I am not good in those situations.

Mallotum_X

Ring council and explain. It's down to them to find him not you.

jackmarnie

I will call the council again on Monday.

I did call them previously, but it hasnt done anything yet.

Hopefully, I wont be 14th in the queue and wait 32 minutes again

jackmarnie

When he signed up he presented himself as working and produced an employment contract and payslips.

I am not aware if he had benefits other than when I called the council the first time, I was told payments had been made (according to a single person schedule).

Would I be right in assuming if he got housing benefit or anything else he would have paid a reduced council tax or none?

I will knock my neighbour across the road tomorrow and ask if he noticed anything or knows more.

G_M

I would stop ringing. Contact in writing.

Write to the council tax dept informing them clearly of the dates for which your tenant is responsible, and the dates for which you are responsible. Attach evidence if you can eg tenancy agreement signed by the tenant.

Ask for an adjusted bill for the period you are responsible and make clear you will then pay it.

Give them whatever address you have for the ex-tenant. It is for them, not you, to chase their council tax payer for the period for which he is responsible.

jackmarnie

If it went to court in his absence, would it effect my own sale (completion) as a black mark on the property?

G_M

jackmarnie wrote: »

If it went to court in his absence, would it effect my own sale (completion) as a black mark on the property?

No.

His unpaid bill is nothing to do with you.