Council tax demand for somewhere I never lived

housebuyer143

brutal_deluxe said:

lincroft1710 said:

If you never actually lived there, then you are not entitled to the 25% SPD.

Yes which would be fine and fair, but I fit the legal definition (sole resident and my main dwelling) despite classing myself as never living there. That's the only argument I have, it feels like this is almost word against word. But the evidence shows I was moving in, on my own, with the intention of living there long term. The problem is unfortunately I was there an incredibly short period of time,

You might have intended to live there and you might have moved in for a few days, but then you moved out. Maybe you are due to discount for the couple of days you were there, but if you didn't live there the whole month which you have told them and us that you didn't, then you can't get the 25% discount for the whole month. 
If it's empty and unfurnished many councils will give free council tax. However I am not sure if you told them your stuff was in it and I imagine that ship has sailed at this point.

swingaloo

brutal_deluxe said:

swingaloo said:

How many months rent did you pay to the landlord? 1 or 2?

1 month. For the rent and admin fees. Nothing else.

But in your opening post you said you paid 1 months council tax when you surrendered the tenancy so its hard to understand why you are being asked to pay it again. 

saajan_12

You can't have it both ways.. argue for 100% off council tax because you didn't really live there but also 25% off council tax because you did live there (its only your main dwelling if you lived there). The facts never changed, only your description of them. 

There's a degree of subjectivity / interpretation to this all which is usually just brushed over in practice but once you make it an issue, then yes they're going to look at the specifics. You only moved in half way through the month and started moving out again a few days later.. so at most it was your residence for a few days. The fact that it was so short brings into question whether it was even expected to be a main residence for that short period. But best case you're at 25% discount for say 4 days and full CT for 26 days. Doesn't seem worth the arguemtn. 

brutal_deluxe

swingaloo said:

brutal_deluxe said:

swingaloo said:

How many months rent did you pay to the landlord? 1 or 2?

1 month. For the rent and admin fees. Nothing else.

But in your opening post you said you paid 1 months council tax when you surrendered the tenancy so its hard to understand why you are being asked to pay it again. 

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was sent a bill for the month but I haven't paid as yet, because I immediately challanged it

brutal_deluxe

saajan_12 said:

You can't have it both ways.. argue for 100% off council tax because you didn't really live there but also 25% off council tax because you did live there (its only your main dwelling if you lived there). The facts never changed, only your description of them. 

There's a degree of subjectivity / interpretation to this all which is usually just brushed over in practice but once you make it an issue, then yes they're going to look at the specifics. You only moved in half way through the month and started moving out again a few days later.. so at most it was your residence for a few days. The fact that it was so short brings into question whether it was even expected to be a main residence for that short period. But best case you're at 25% discount for say 4 days and full CT for 26 days. Doesn't seem worth the arguemtn. 

I'm no longer arguing for 100% off, that has been outright denied from the start which is fine. But if I do have to pay for a whole month, then I just want to know whether or not I genuinely qualify for single persons discount - according to the legal definition. As someone else said, just because I was out a lot shouldn't mean it wasn't my main residence and I didn't live there. Should I just forget it?

HampshireH

You weren't out a lot you said you never moved in properly and lived there.

Being out a lot would mean sleeping there etc which you don't seem to have done.

By your own admission you moved in with family

I would pay up. If they take you to court it will cost your far more than £40