If my spouse or I go to live in our second home

StormyNight151

Flugelhorn said:

StormyNight151 said:

Does it matter whether it’s a separation or not? 

if it is not then I suspect they will assume it is a way of avoiding the extra second home council tax. If I thought there was a chance it would work then I'd be off back to the seaside like a shot 

The council might be suspicious but I wonder what the outcome would be. It’s not illegal or unheard of for a couple married or not to want to live in separate homes if they have them. 

StormyNight151

Grumpy_chap said:

caprikid1 said:

Could be trying to avoid Capital gains tax ? Turning it into a primary residence ?

That won't work:

I’m not talking about capital gains. I know only one home is the nominated place for exemption. 

StormyNight151

Thanks all for your replies.
If a couple decide to live in two separate properties then should they not be allowed to without being penalised by paying double council tax on one property?
if I were going to move into a separate rented home I would have thought a council would accept that without asking if we are separated. It’s not really the councils business what’s going on in peoples relationships. 

artyboy

StormyNight151 said:

Thanks all for your replies.
If a couple decide to live in two separate properties then should they not be allowed to without being penalised by paying double council tax on one property?
if I were going to move into a separate rented home I would have thought a council would accept that without asking if we are separated. It’s not really the councils business what’s going on in peoples relationships. 

Best of luck then, it sounds as though you have got your defence prepared...

Bookworm105

StormyNight151 said:

. It’s not really the councils business what’s going on in peoples relationships. 

since it's your objective to minimise tax, it very much is the council's business...

StormyNight151

It’s not my objective to minimise but who wants to pay more than they should.

Hoenir

StormyNight151 said:

It’s not my objective to minimise but who wants to pay more than they should.

For that very reason avoidance rules are in place. 

Sapindus

StormyNight151 said:

It’s not my objective to minimise but who wants to pay more than they should.

The point is the definition of "should". Not paying more than you possibly get away with is by definition "minimising".

You said "our" second home. You can't blame the council for wondering if there is an ulterior motive for one of you suddenly deciding to go and "live" in it if it will coincidentally save you loads of money.  They will justifiably want to make sure taxpayer's money is being safeguarded, and the rules are what they are.  If you need to move because of your job, or to care for an elderly relative, or you're separating, I guess they might look at the facts of the case.  Or maybe one of you has a disability which means you can't live together.  If the circumstances drove you to have to come to a new arrangement where you took on a new rented house and paid the appropriate rent and council tax, that would lend more weight to the argument that you're not doing this to save money.  But you can't just expect to get away with it being nobody's business but yours why you're doing it..