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Council tax when deployed overseas

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Hi,


Quick question, my partner was posted overseas for 6mths (Dec-June). We own our own property and paying council tax for both of us living there. Are we initialled to claim anything back for the 6mths he wasn't in the country? It's only myself and him living in the property, i would of thought there might of been a discount with me being single occupancy for those 6mths?


I have tried calling the council to discuss but as you can imagine it was proving difficult to get through to someone to speak to them about this.


If anyone has any advice i would be grateful, thanks
Debt Free Diary..."Start of a new chapter"
Nov: Unsecured Debt : £2,900.. Bring your lunch to work 1/18..NSD challenge 5/20

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 24 July 2018 at 4:53PM
    s1n25 wrote: »
    Hi,


    Quick question, my partner was posted overseas for 6mths (Dec-June). We own our own property and paying council tax for both of us living there. Are we initialled to claim anything back for the 6mths he wasn't in the country? It's only myself and him living in the property, i would of thought there might of been a discount with me being single occupancy for those 6mths?

    I have tried calling the council to discuss but as you can imagine it was proving difficult to get through to someone to speak to them about this.

    If anyone has any advice i would be grateful, thanks
    He is still regarded as being resident for council tax purposes so no discount can be claimed - the MOD did used to provide a payment in lieu of the council tax but that was solely down to the MOD so you'd need to contact them.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Medihv
    Medihv Posts: 49 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yes you can claim a CTR - Council tax refund through the Admin Clrk on base. CTR is only payable on tours that attract PODL - Post operational deployment leave.
    Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
    If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.
    The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.
  • Medihv
    Medihv Posts: 49 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Here is some more info, And it is marked as unclassified so can be shared on here, before anyone says anything.

    General. CTR is paid for each day that eligible Service personnel are on the qualifying location or assignment and includes days out of theatre on Rest and Recuperation (R&R).

    Method of Claim. Entitlement to CTR will be captured by unit HR admin staff in accordance with separate instructions issued by DBS. All Regular Service personnel, mobilised reserves and FTRS (FC) or (LC) personnel who live in private accommodation are to provide proof as follows:

    a. A Council Tax / Rates in NI Bill for the period(s) in question, confirming that the Service person is counted for council tax / rates at that property;

    b. A letter (or other proof) from their local authority that they have not been given a discount due to their deployment on operations; or alternatively a signed statement to that effect from the Service claimant.

    Method of Payment. Payment will be at the daily rate of CTR, as a lump sum, following the end of their period of duty on the qualifying operation or assignment via the Service person’s salary

    and the rate is £3.25 per day
    Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
    If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.
    The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.
  • hammy1988
    hammy1988 Posts: 145 Forumite
    Yes I can confirm there is a council tax lump sum given by the unit you are deployed with, my husband is on a tenth and a half month deployment right now. He has been given R and R, I don't think you will get R and R on a six monther, generally that isn't given.

    However if you do get it, you will receive the council tax refund at the rates mentioned above.

    The Tories cut council budgets = 99% councils cut the original single person discounts that used to be available for the armed forces families who own or rent their own private properties.
  • s1n25
    s1n25 Posts: 113 Forumite
    Brilliant! thank you for your help
    Debt Free Diary..."Start of a new chapter"
    Nov: Unsecured Debt : £2,900.. Bring your lunch to work 1/18..NSD challenge 5/20

  • okidoodle
    okidoodle Posts: 40 Forumite
    Depends what they are in. My husband is a reservist but when on FTRS full commitment we were effectively paying double council tax as the council still counts them as living there. LSSA is suposed to cover council tax costs but doesn't effectively. If you are a mobilised reservist you can claim for the period you are mobilised but that's it.
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