Landlord wants to take my name off the council tax

Vra

Hello everyone,

My landlord is being investigated by a detective on behalf of the bank, my flatmate and I became aware of this as the detective got in touch with us to find out who owns the flat ( we did not disclose any information) We believe this has to do with the type of mortgage he has which may not allow him to rent out the property ( these are just assumptions though)

Our landlord has now decided that he wants the rent to be paid into a different bank account and my name ( I share the flat with a friend but only my name is in the council tax bill) to be taken off the CT bill as he wants the bill to be in his sister's name.

How can this affect me? I do not want to lie to the council but he is determined to do this.

Thank you so much for your help!

PasturesNew

What's the worst: you are being asked to commit fraud, to benefit him and his web of lies. You know he has a web of lies, so if you do this thing it could clearly be demonstrated that you were in on his fraud, that you supported his fraud - in short, that you're as bent as a 9 bob note yourself.

You COULD .... be dragged into court. You COULD be picked out to be charged with fraud yourself.

If they wanted to push it, you could be dragged to court, to be convicted of fraudulently putting the property's council tax into his sister's name, knowing that it was part of some wider scam .... and you could be convicted. C-O-N-V-I-C-T-E-D ....

You know every important form in your future life, such as mortgages, jobs, loans, insurances, etc, where you're asked if you have a criminal record???? Well fraud is the WORST one they're looking out for.

It could haunt you for the rest of your life.

Don't do it. Look for somewhere else to live and let him stew in his own web of deceit.

fishpond

Move at the earliest opportunity.

sevenhills

Vra wrote: »

Our landlord has now decided that he wants the rent to be paid into a different bank account and my name ( I share the flat with a friend but only my name is in the council tax bill) to be taken off the CT bill as he wants the bill to be in his sister's name.

Are you claiming 25% discount for a single person living there?

elmer

As you are the liable person for Council Tax, he cannot do this, I would speak to your council and explain the circumstances and if possible send them a copy of your lease for their filing
Then if he does try to change anything, hopefully they will clarify with you before actioning any changes

elmer

[Deleted User]

I don't really understand why you helped the LL with any nefarious things he is doing by refusing to tell the police what they want to know. He obviously IS doing something because of the changes he now wants to make.

Yep, time to move.

unforeseen

I think it's a private detective, not police

G_M

Under the terms of your tenancy agreement, who is liable for the council tax?

If you, then do not agree. As occupier, the council would in any case come to you for payment.
If the landlord, then why is it in your name?

as for the bank account, that is out of your control. As a tenantn you are obigated to pay your rent to the landlord, and should do so to whatever bank he instructs you - in writing. After all, people change their banks nowadays and have every right to do so.

Co-operate with the (private?) detective? Yes, within reason. If he asks if you live in the property, of course confirm. It's you home and no secret. but don't speculate or divulge confidential information about anyone else (including your LL).

Oh! and he may not have thought of this.... yet.... but don't take your name off the electoral register at his request either!

CIS

Vra wrote: »

Hello everyone,

My landlord is being investigated by a detective on behalf of the bank, my flatmate and I became aware of this as the detective got in touch with us to find out who owns the flat ( we did not disclose any information) We believe this has to do with the type of mortgage he has which may not allow him to rent out the property ( these are just assumptions though)

Our landlord has now decided that he wants the rent to be paid into a different bank account and my name ( I share the flat with a friend but only my name is in the council tax bill) to be taken off the CT bill as he wants the bill to be in his sister's name.

How can this affect me? I do not want to lie to the council but he is determined to do this.

Thank you so much for your help!

The landlord cannot make the decision over council tax liability, it rests with the council to determine it via legislation.

What sort of tenancy or occupancy agreement do you have ? This is the initial aspect to determining liability.

It sounds like the landlord has not been given permission to let the property by the bank.

Vra

sevenhills wrote: »

Are you claiming 25% discount for a single person living there?

We are claiming the 25% discount for full time student as my flat mate is studying at University.

Vra

deannatrois wrote: »

I don't really understand why you helped the LL with any nefarious things he is doing by refusing to tell the police what they want to know. He obviously IS doing something because of the changes he now wants to make.

Yep, time to move.

it was a private detective, I never spoke to them, my flatmate did which led to this situation.