Council tax

pjs493

lee28_2 said:

I wasn't a co-tenant, I wasn't even on the tenancy. My nan was his next of kin, but due to her ill health and her living on the Isle of White my aunt dealt with everything as she still lived near to the property, my aunt dealt with registering his death, he died of a sudden heart attack at 56 so there was no will in place that I know of. 

Potentially irrelevant given the situation, but when you turned 18 (assuming your father wasn’t married) you became his next of kin. They may well have written to you because they’ve identified you as next of kin. 

As others have said, the council need to give you a reason as to why they believe you are liable for the money. You can then respond with evidence as to why you’re not, eg you were living elsewhere. 

lee28_2

Thanks for your help, I'll send an email over the weekend and hopefully get a response on monday/tuesday

Savvy_Sue

Just checking, you may not have lived there, but did you use that address still? Every now and again some random piece of post turns up for one of our boys, and I know that would potentially cause problems if we ever wanted to claim the single person discount. 

Also were you paying council tax somewhere else? That can be a clincher. Either that, or being a student. 

tooldle

It seems possibly CTax were not told of the death when it happened and are applying a charge up until the rented property changed hands. If the aunt acted correctly, she will have paperwork to confirm CTax account as being closed. What does your aunt say OP?

Keep_pedalling

Did you inherit anything from your father? It is possible that your aunt failed to inform the council of his death so no exemption was applied but has subsequently told them that you are his sole beneficiary which is why they are chasing you for his debt. 

Being his next of kin has no legal implications as far as a debt is concerned, but being a beneficiary does.