We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Council Tax - Weekday 2nd Rental
Dr_Tom
Posts: 15 Forumite
I'm sure this is obvious to some, but I'm struggling to find an answer.
I currently own a property, which I'd like to keep as my main property. I live on my own, so get a 25% council tax discount.
I've recently started a job in London and have been doing a combination of commuting and staying in hotels during the week (all at my expense). For financial reasons and the length of my contract, a permanent move doesn't make sense.
Work have offered me a small furnished apartment for a year on which I would pay rent (below market price) and be responsible for the bills and council tax. It wouldn't work as a permanent place, but would be perfect for weekdays, save a lot of hassle and should work out cheaper than my current arrangement.
I realise I'd had to pay two sets of bills and can budget for this, but what would the council tax implications be? Would I be able to get any form of discount on either property and (biggest concern) would I lose the 25% single person discount, or even have to pay a premium as a "second home"? Does it complicate things with spending more time in the rental than the "main property".
(and I know people are reading this thinking "third world problem" but it's the reality of having an established home, needing to take a new job as another one ended and the job available being in London)
I currently own a property, which I'd like to keep as my main property. I live on my own, so get a 25% council tax discount.
I've recently started a job in London and have been doing a combination of commuting and staying in hotels during the week (all at my expense). For financial reasons and the length of my contract, a permanent move doesn't make sense.
Work have offered me a small furnished apartment for a year on which I would pay rent (below market price) and be responsible for the bills and council tax. It wouldn't work as a permanent place, but would be perfect for weekdays, save a lot of hassle and should work out cheaper than my current arrangement.
I realise I'd had to pay two sets of bills and can budget for this, but what would the council tax implications be? Would I be able to get any form of discount on either property and (biggest concern) would I lose the 25% single person discount, or even have to pay a premium as a "second home"? Does it complicate things with spending more time in the rental than the "main property".
(and I know people are reading this thinking "third world problem" but it's the reality of having an established home, needing to take a new job as another one ended and the job available being in London)
0
Comments
-
3rd world problems are no food, no water and imminent death
1st world problem is the phrase you mean
re CT , you can only claim single person discount on ONE property at a time. Your existing home remains your MAIN home and therefore a SPD claim on that is not in doubt.
The London Pied a Terre on the other hand will get whatever rate is charged by that council on "second" homes. That may be 100% or a discounted rate (for time limited period)
anything else is tax fraud.0 -
The one point I always raise with clients who ask similar is to what their tenancy is - is it for a fixed term of 6 months or more & will it revert to a statutory periodic before you will be leaving.
It's surprising how often the aspect of a 2nd home and residence is not considered when liability under s6 of the LGFA92 is considered.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.0 -
My circumstances were similar to the OPs when my main residence was in England but I was working in Scotland. Since it was not practical for me to commute home every weekend, I asked the council how much time I had to spend at home for it to still qualify as my main residence. Your answer may differ from mine since every English council seems to have different policies nowadays (which is why I haven't said how many weeks per annum it was).0
-
My circumstances were similar to the OPs when my main residence was in England but I was working in Scotland. Since it was not practical for me to commute home every weekend, I asked the council how much time I had to spend at home for it to still qualify as my main residence. Your answer may differ from mine since every English council seems to have different policies nowadays (which is why I haven't said how many weeks per annum it was).
There should be no policy difference from council to council as 'sole or main residence' is set as the criteria in law and the definitions have been pretty much defined by case law. A 'residence' is different from a property in which someone 'lives' but, as far as the 25% discount is concerned it is residence that is looked at.
In your case - a home in Scotland that is used for work whilst you retain a home elsewhere would never generally be regarded as a main residence short of uprooting everything from the English address - Dr's, voting, DVLA address etc as you need to fully demonstrate that you have no intention to return to the original address as a 'sole or main residence' etc.
In the OP's case it is clear that it cannot be regarded as his residence for council tax purposes but the other point, as per my first post, is that, based on the specifics of the tenancy, he may not be liable for the council tax charge. Council Tax legislation doesn't always come up with the result that would appear obvious.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.0 -
Thank you everyone, that's very clear as far as determining the main residence.
Regarding the weekday residence, I'll have to contact the council and see how they treat this.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards