Just got a letter from council tax saying someone else lives here

nicdigby

Hi. Am single, separated from ex. Not divorcing yet, too stressful, expensive and complicated and he will hide assets so it will cost a lot of money. Plus I have incurable cancer. Have seen a solicitor who said to definitely claim 25% discount on council tax and to claim child tax credits as a single person.

Ex is still on the house deeds. He pays me one monthly amount and I pay the mortgage from it. But he doesn't live here, he's been here on a handful of nights only in the last year eg when a bad storm meant he got here to pick up the kids at 10pm (he slept in spare room) / when I was away for a few days and the kids wanted to stay here, he came down. Usually the kids go up to his (2 hrs away) every other weekend and for hols.

He is insistent on still using my address for some correspondence. I have asked him not to multiple times but he continues to do so eg for HMRC tax returns and for one utility company - they've written to him here this week, even though that utility service relates to his own address and not mine

He is registered for council tax and on the electoral roll at his place, and I am a sole occupier on the council tax here and on the electoral roll here.

Council tax have just written to say they have checked with Experian and they believe someone else is living here. I did ring them six months ago and without making any notes on my account, the lady listened to the situ and said in her view I should carry on claiming the 25% discount as he didn't live here; the occasional stay in the spare room when I am ill or staying here with the kids if I am away plus him using it for about 10% of his correspondence does not mean he lives here, she said; even if he insists he does (he likes to say he has a second home I think )

1) Do I write to them to explain all this now, or just fill out the form? I worry/think if I just fill out the form they may decide I am lying and so take it further.
2) Do I write back to the utility company to say he doesn't live here and why don't they use the address of his residence which is the address about which that utility relates to anyway?

I await the inevitable child tax credits "you're not single" letter next. I told him how stressful it could be and how we both could be investigated if he continues to use this address, but I think he is trying to lord it over me / be financially abusive again and it has worried me. It's Friday night and I will have a sleepless few days, hence my need to post for (hopefully) reassurance on here.

Many thanks!

poppy12345

Using your address for some correspondence will be what the problem is. You need to tell him again not to use your address.



You will need to send them proof of where he's living now.

[Deleted User]

I would return any mail for him as not at this address, another point if you have a terminal illness you can claim PIP and get it fast tracked, speak to mcmillan if you are not already claiming

nicdigby

Using your address for some correspondence will be what the problem is. You need to tell him again not to use your address.



You will need to send them proof of where he's living now.

I’ve told him multiple times. He ignores me. I understand that as he is on the deeds he can do this.

I do have proof of where he lives now.

nicdigby

would return any mail for him as not at this address, another point if you have a terminal illness you can claim PIP and get it fast tracked, speak to mcmillan if you are not already claiming ]

Thanks, I did that successfully, that’s not what my problem is though.

calcotti

This is not a response to your question but please note that you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits as a single person unless you are already receiving a Severe Disability Premium in a means tested benefit such as ESA or Housing Benefit. You would have to claim UC instead (if eligible). If you were previously claiming Tax Credits as a couple you must tell HMRC and that claim will be closed.

gwynlas

Yes you do not have to go into detail but state that you are the only adult resident at the address and your ex is rresident at his address.

CIS

The council will regularly review discounts so this is likely to come up again - you need to explain the situation to them and tell them were he is actually resident as this is what matters for the council tax discount. It's an easy situation to sort out, in most cases.

lizzy77

Just had a letter saying my son lives with me from the council. , he does not he is in ,the marines and lives with his wife and children at the base. ,
He is using my address without my permission. to avoid debts,
I am unwell and disabled , what can I do ?

MovingForwards

lizzy77 wrote: »

Just had a letter saying my son lives with me from the council. , he does not he is in ,the marines and lives with his wife and children at the base. ,
He is using my address without my permission. to avoid debts,
I am unwell and disabled , what can I do ?

Start your own thread as many people don't read through the comments and see someone else has asked a question.

TBagpuss

Fill out the form, send it back with a covering letter explaining the situation and kep copies and proof of postage for both.

In the mean time, get your solicitor to write a letter to him to say that you are not willing for him to continue to hae post sent to the address and that he neds to arrange for his mail to be sent to his own address.

Then start returning anything that comes for him, to sender, marked that he is not at that address.