Concil Tax at Two properties

ukbondraider

Just wanted to see if anyone has the answer to my question.

I have a 6 bed house that I soley own but in addition I also have a 4 bed house that I share with my girlfriend.

Currently I am paying council tax on my 6 bed place and my partner is paying council tax on OUR 4 bed place. At the 4 bed place she is claiming herself as the sole occupier to get the 25% discount.

The question I have is, it this the correct way of doing this considering that I am paying the full council tax on my six bed property or should she need to pay full council tax on the 4 bed property considering I also live there although part time i.e I move between the two houses.

What if the council inspects the house and sees alot of my possesions there to indicate that she is not the sole occupier. Am I right in that because I have my name on the council tax on my 6 bed place that it doesnt matter.

Anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks

moneysavinmonkey

I think that if you just flit between the two properties you will have to pay the full amount in council tax for both of them. Your girlfriend will have singned some kind of form declaring that she lives alone in order to get the discount - doesn't sound like that is really the case anymore so she could be prosecuted. probably unlikely that you would get caught out though.. never heard of a council tax inspector? Up to you if you want to take that risk.

Just out of nosyiness why do you and your girlfriend need 10 bedrooms between you??

moneysavinmonkey

hmm. maybe i'm wrong about that council tax inspector thing though....

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=4704

Running_Horse

Puts on tin hat and awaits the entertainment.:D

Why don't you phone the council and ask?

silvercar

You need to decide which is your main home.

Then suss out the council's policy on second homes. If your 6 bed home is actually your second home see if the council give a reduction for second homes; some allow a large discount, so you may be better off if your girlfriend loses her 25% discount but you claim second home discount for the 6 bed house.