Others' council tax arrears... .

David333

Hello,

How does council tax work...? I moved into this flat a couple of months ago sharing with a couple of others. Today a letter arrived, addressed to a previous tenant saying they owe them £1500 in council tax arrears. Am I personally liable in any way? Is council tax the responsibility of the property as it were, or for the person whose name it's in...? Thank you... .

David

garnettgirl

it's the responsibility of those living in it on the dates they reside there.

Contact the council with the dates you moved in and send the bill back. Tell them the forwarding address of the previous tenants if you have it.

You aren't responsible for their council tax.

David333

Thank you...! Should I put 'not known at this address' on the envelope? The letter seems to be from some sort of 'credit management' agency... .

Jvic28

You have no liability. If I were you I would either return the letter to sender or send it to the landlord who can forward it on.

x

iwanttosavemoney2008

yeah no liability when you moved in to the flat was it under the understanding that bills were included or did you have to pay ur own?

are you currently sharing if you are try not to get any bills in your name as you are then liable if your flat mates dont pay their share

best to get the landlord to sort out bills

David333

Would it be okay to inform the council now that I moved in two months ago though...? I should've at the time but my housemate has been paying the bills and I've been giving her my share... . Will this cause any problems...?

David333

We have to pay our bills but they're in the name of my current housemate now... .

iwanttosavemoney2008

no you became to council tax payer the day she moved out unless there was others living there at the time too see previous post and this is the date you should give as taking over the council tax

did you have council tax in your name at your previous address?

iwanttosavemoney2008

if your name is not on a bill then you are not liable to pay it to the company you are however to pay to the person paying as long as there is an agreement to pay and also get yourself recipts for money you give for bills as if you had a falling out then they could go to court to demand money you have already paid.

David333

As I understand it, the debt is in the name of Mr X who lived here with Miss Y and Miss Z. Mr X and Miss Y moved out a few months ago (I'm not certain of when), and the council tax was transferred into the name of Miss Z who continued to live here.

Mr A and Mr B moved in with her, then Mr A moved out and I moved in, taking over the tenancy and living with Mr B and Miss Z. Does that make sense?!

David333

Oh, and nope council tax wasn't in my name at my previous address but was about a year ago... .