Council Tax problem? Ideas please.

Idpullthecurtain

Has anyone ever experienced anything similar to this.

Long story but, basically I moved in with parent for a number of years.  I paid Mum money as agreed to cover bills etc.  I have now realised that I wasnt on the Council Tax bill ever.  I  just assumed she added me.

Mum was excempt so the bill was 0.  But I was living there.

I am hoping I will not get into trouble over this now.  Obviously I am adding myself and will now be charged.

For budgeting purposes, it would be great to know if I will be billed now for previous years.

I never received a bill, and so there was no unpaid bills.  Can I be in trouble for that? 

TIA

MeteredOut

If you moved in with your mum, it is her that will be charged going forward and would get into trouble. This assumes she's the name on the council tax register.

The onus was on her to notify the council of any changes. Legally that money is now due and when the council find out, they will very likely backdate to the date you moved in.

My council sends out a yearly letter asking people to confirm who lives there for council tax purposes? Did your mum not receive that?

Have you now informed them you live there. Did they/the form ask what date you moved in?

FlorayG

It's your mum who was responsible for the tax so it's her they will chase for back payments

Idpullthecurtain

MeteredOut said:

If you moved in with your mum, it is her that will be charged going forward and would get into trouble. This assumes she's the name on the council tax register.

The onus was on her to notify the council of any changes. Legally that money is now due and when the council find out, they will very likely backdate to the date you moved in.

My council sends out a yearly letter asking people to confirm who lives there for council tax purposes? Did your mum not receive that?

Have you now informed them you live there. Did they/the form ask what date you moved in?

I only discovered this weekend. Im informing today.  I assume they will ask for dates.
Yes she is named on the Council Tax.
She probably did receive the reminders, shes in poor health and not great with letters etc.

Idpullthecurtain

FlorayG said:

It's your mum who was responsible for the tax so it's her they will chase for back payments

Oh no!  I dont want there to be implications for Mum.

MeteredOut

Idpullthecurtain said:

FlorayG said:

It's your mum who was responsible for the tax so it's her they will chase for back payments

Oh no!  I dont want there to be implications for Mum.

If you explain to them what you have stated here, with a clear explanation that it was a misunderstanding between you and your mum, that you'll accept the back-dated bills, then I'd hope they take no further action. I'd suggest a phone call in the first place telling them that its just come to light and you want to fix it.

lincroft1710

Why is your mother exempt?


Unless they are a co-owner or co-tenant, adult children are not usually named on CT bills. But if an adult child lives with their sole parent, then the parent would in normal circumstances lose their 25% Single Person Discount. 

Idpullthecurtain

lincroft1710 said:

Why is your mother exempt?


Unless they are a co-owner or co-tenant, adult children are not usually named on CT bills. But if an adult child lives with their sole parent, then the parent would in normal circumstances lose their 25% Single Person Discount. 

She is on Pension Credit.

lincroft1710

As your mother gets an exemption because of pension credit and you are paying her "rent", she needs to check if her total income takes her out of exemption.