Council tax discounts

jaypwfd

I live in a property and I pay my council tax with a 25% deduction for single person occupancy.

I bought this property on my own in 2020 and its my mortgage all in my name.  

In 202 I met my wife who I married in July 2024 who owns her own property area where she pays FULL council tax as her and family member are on the council tax. She doesn't get ant discount its a fully occupied tax.  

Last year I checked verbally that I didn’t need to pay full council tax on my property despite her spending most of her time with me at my property now. We used to spend more time at hers but now we spend more at mine. The council told me I didn’t need to pay full as she pays FULL on her property. It’s her mortgage at that property and her bills. Driving licence, home insurance and post goes to that address.

Does anyone know if this is 100% right, as there seems to be a grey area...

FlorayG

I think so, because if you take in a lodger who has a home elsewhere they pay full tax on ( for example someone working on a contract away from home) then they don't count towards your council tax you can still claim 25% discount. If they live only with you then you can't claim it.
Basically you can't be liable twice unless you own a second home

lincroft1710

FlorayG said:

I think so, because if you take in a lodger who has a home elsewhere they pay full tax on ( for example someone working on a contract away from home) then they don't count towards your council tax you can still claim 25% discount. If they live only with you then you can't claim it.
Basically you can't be liable twice unless you own a second home

The difference here is that a lodger is not mentioned in the CT Hierarchy of Liability.


The only way the OP can be certain of the council's position on this is to get it in writing.  

TheSpectator

As above, get it in writing but are there wider implications that need addressing?

Capital gains tax - a husband and wife can only have one principal private residence so there is potential for CGT if a property is sold in the future.

Do the mortgage company know she no longer lives at 'her' property permanently.

Similarly does house insurance know?

Car insurance - where does she say her car is kept (if she has one)

fatbelly

You can be multiply liable.

Each property is assessed on its own characteristics.

If there are two of you resident in a property, full council tax is payable.

If one is resident at  another property, then you get a single person discount.

Quite where the dividing line is would have to be decided by case law.