Council tax for detached annexe - separate from main property?

no_moolah

Hello all, looking for a bit of advice here please... does anyone know if a self-contained annexe should have its own Council Tax band? And if the tenant who is renting out that annexe is looking to register for Council Tax, and the annexe is not listed, do they put the main house down as the address? And how many residents - just one (for themselves) or the number including the resident landlord? Thank you

macman

Check if it's already banded separately with the VoA. If not, it needs to be applied for.

no_moolah

Thanks macman, so that suggests the landlord has not done this already - should I advise the tenant to fill in the address manually and put a generic name down like 'annexe' with only one resident? I assume the council or VoA will then contact the landlord?

ProDave

Before you go any further, check the "annex" does not have a planning condition that it is for use in connection with the main house.  You may be breaking the planning conditions if you let it as a separate dwelling.

Does it have it's own electricity, water and sewage connections independant of the house?  Ditto telephone?  does it have it's own garden and own entrance from the street and it's own postal address?

no_moolah

Thanks prodave. I should have specified I'm asking on behalf of the tenant (a full time student). But from what I can see from VOA guidance, it should have its own CT band as its self contained (kitchen, toilet etc etc)

lincroft1710

As tenant is FT student, they probably won't be paying CT anyway

no_moolah

I thnk you're right lincroft. It's always been let to students but I suppose the landlord may not wish to register the annexe so they don't have to pay for the CT during changeover periods. I suppose the question is whether the tenant should play along with this or submit the information correctly (i.e. as a separate dwelling)?

dimbo61

So what are you trying to do ?
If the Landlord rents the Annexe to a  student/s every year on a 12 month contract from say the 1st of July to 30th of June then No Council Tax to pay.
Are you trying to help the " student " claim benefits ?
Are you trying to make sure the Landlord is registering the Annexe as a separate dwelling ? And the tenant ( if not a student ) pays council tax ?
Making sure the Annexe is safe and not beds in sheds ?
You could ask the tenant to check if the annexe has an EPC ? EICR? GSC ( if gas in property ) Fire safety ( ask the fire service to inspect )
All this help will means the " Tenant ( student ) will be building a good relationship with the LL.
No EPC NO rent to pay !

RAS

Bit of the b ack story; there are two more threads 

Landlord didn't sign tenant's copy of tenancy agreement — MoneySavingExpert Forum

macman

The issue of whether the annexe is registered as a separate dwelling for CT is entirely separate from whether the student is exempt or not.
If they are, they need to provide proof of their exemption. You don't just not register because you are a student, unless you are in a hall of residence, where it's done for you.
This is up to the LL to resolve by informing the student of the CT status. The student can then apply for exemption if applicable.
Surely the STA states who is responsible for the utility bills and CT?

no_moolah

macman said:

This is up to the LL to resolve by informing the student of the CT status. The student can then apply for exemption if applicable.

Surely the STA states who is responsible for the utility bills and CT?

Thanks macman, I believe the tenant (and they are a student, so they are exempt) has done this. I'm wondering if they should inform the council as my inclination is that the LL may have not registered this annex for CT for a reason. It sounds as if there are two self-contained 'annexes' as part of this property in addition to the main house, neither of them registered for CT.

Presumably the LL would say the tenant should have registered under the main property. But would that be that correct or is it just the LL's preference so they don't have to pay CT during any void periods? Unfortunately no details on the tenancy agreement about council tax. I'm also concerned about this causing any repurcussions for the tenant.