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single person council tax

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Hi,


Need some advice please.

I'm going through divorce at the moment. Ex has moved out and I've start to apply for single person benefits etc.

I've applied for single person council tax discount but the council wants his new address which I don't have and he won't give it to me.
The council said because the house is still in joint name, it still classed as his permanent address?

What else can I do/provide the council to proof I'm living in the property as a single person?



Thanks.


San

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sanova76 wrote: »
    Hi,


    Need some advice please.

    I'm going through divorce at the moment. Ex has moved out and I've start to apply for single person benefits etc.

    I've applied for single person council tax discount but the council wants his new address which I don't have and he won't give it to me.
    The council said because the house is still in joint name, it still classed as his permanent address?

    What else can I do/provide the council to proof I'm living in the property as a single person?



    Thanks.


    San


    I see this quite often amongst my clients and it's quite annoying - it often takes a formal letter to get them to listen.


    There is no requirement to provide a forwarding address and the fact that a property may be in a joint name makes no difference - it is part of the overall consideration of 'sole or main residence' but it is not a final determinate. The problem you do have however is that the council are responsible for making the initial determination and, if that is disputed, it would require a valuation tribunal to settle the matter,
    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.
  • Maybe they will accept a Decision letter from DWP and/ or HMRC showing your entitlement to benefits or Tax Credirs as a single person, though that may take some time to come through.
  • badmemory
    badmemory Posts: 9,563 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Have you just rung them or have you put it in writing?
  • sanova76
    sanova76 Posts: 287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    I've rang them and the person I spoke to suggest I emailed the council tax query line to explain the situation. I doubt they're going to reply straight away.

    I'm applying for UC at the moment and it'll take another 4 weeks before I get my first payment (all being well).
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