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Unregistered council tax

Hi,
I'm currently renting a flat within a hotel, been here approx 11months. I rang the council to sort out council tax (on 3 occasions) and they said the building wasn't registered as having dwellings in it, it is registered as a commercial property/business. There are multiple other tenants in the building although they rent rooms only and share kitchens, will I be liable for council tax?
Cheers

Comments

  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sounds like some sort of an HMO and/or serviced apartment business.

    Are you a tenant on an AST, or do you have some kind of licence contract?
  • Noony90
    Noony90 Posts: 24 Forumite
    10 Posts
    I have an assured short hold tenancy although this refers to a room that I initially rented in the building through an estate agency , I haven't been asked to sign anything else since I moved from the room to this flat.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's only going to become an issue once it's banded - if they band the room you're in then you'll be liable for the council tax on that.
    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.
  • Noony90
    Noony90 Posts: 24 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Ok, if the flat is registered and banded etc. do you think the council would persue me for money since I have been living there prior to the banding?
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    CIS wrote: »
    It's only going to become an issue once it's banded - if they band the room you're in then you'll be liable for the council tax on that.
    If it gets banded, could the council demand back-payment or would payment only be due from the date of banding onwards?
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Bands can be backdated by the voa to ensure their records are correct and the council tax will then be backdated as far as the band is.
    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.
  • Noony90
    Noony90 Posts: 24 Forumite
    10 Posts
    I should probably go to the council or VOA then although i know the owner wont be happy because apparently he had a bill for 12,000 from the council for another building he owns because there were professional tenants living there instead of just students so i suspect the same thing is going on here!
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Noony90 wrote: »
    I should probably go to the council or VOA then although i know the owner wont be happy because apparently he had a bill for 12,000 from the council for another building he owns because there were professional tenants living there instead of just students so i suspect the same thing is going on here!
    The technical answer to this for the landlord is 'diddums'. At the end of the day he can be as upset as he likes but legislation will make the determination.
    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.
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