Council tax and renting

Jemma01

Good for them, they'll find a better place.

He sounds like he's doing something he's not meant to do, whatever it is, it doesn't matter. They escaped safely.

Jude57

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82128914#Comment_82128914

I think it's the best decision. If in doubt, walk away. Hopefully they'll find a new home with a good landlord (most are!) very soon. You might want to direct them to the stickies at the top of this sub-forum where some expert posters have shared their knowledge of renting. I wish them well.

horsewithnoname

I know someone who did this - the catchment area for the school they wanted moved, so they bought a flat in the new area and had their name on the council tax (and paid the council tax themselves); probably not 100% whiter than white, but rather than have to move house just because of a catchment area change, they did that. Absolutely no detriment to the tenant, who had the council tax paid for them and so were quite happy with the arrangement.

Alex_thompson

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6682490/council-tax-and-renting

I’d probably want to know why the landlord wants it set up that way before agreeing to anything. It’s not something I’d normally expect with a straightforward rental of the whole property.

There might be a perfectly innocent reason for it, so I wouldn’t jump to conclusions, but I’d ask the landlord to explain what they’re trying to do and check it with the council if there’s any doubt. If they can’t give a clear explanation, I’d be inclined to look elsewhere.

Tabieth

It all sounds very dodgy. A lucky escape I think!

sherlock228

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82128914#Comment_82128914

the refusal to let to them rather afirms that the scenatrio is suspect
they should flag it up to the council and let them check up on the LL's "actions", not difficult for a council to find out if a property has been let once they start looking. They may even then contact HMRC….

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82129657#Comment_82129657

Can well understand why OP's family member walked away from the rental.

Not sure why they would feel the need to start reporting people to the authorities just because they don't choose to engage with the landlord's preferred business practice?

sherlock228

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82129673#Comment_82129673

because those of moral standing have a "duty" to uphold against those without? Only the council will know for sure if the LL is of the latter persuasion.

Jemma01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82129673#Comment_82129673

Tenants are liable for council tax on properties they rent, it's not for the landlord to have a business practice preference that puts tenants in a liability challenge. This isn't an HMO

What they could have done is move in, notify the council, and if the landlord gets iffy about it, let him evict them if he has a good legal ground 🫩

Either way, if shady folks knew they'll be reported, no one would have to deal with this nonsense.

_Penny_Dreadful

As the occupants of the property the tenants would be ahead of the landlord on the council tax on the hierarchy of liability. The tenants could find themselves in the situation of paying the council tax money to the landlord, the landlord not paying the council tax, and the council pursuing the tenants for the unpaid bill.

When a landlord wants this arrangement where bills remain in their name it's often because there's a residential mortgage and they haven't applied for consent to let. It's also possible that there's an outstanding HTB loan or the property is shared ownership. Whatever the reason it's usually because the landlord in question doesn't have the right to let the property without breaching a contract somewhere.