PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.

Rent a caravan but want to buy a house

Cornwall48
Cornwall48 Posts: 1 Newbie
in House buying, renting & selling
We're due to move out of a privately rented house (owners want to sell) to a privately rented caravan as a stop-gap before I find a house to buy.. Couldn't do this via a letting agent because of poor credit rating and own 2 dogs. I've paid deposit and rent upfront for it and will also pay final month's rent on this place soon therefore giving a month's notice.

What I'm concerned about is my main residence. From end of Feb we will be in a caravan in a field owned by people who live in the main house. There are 4 other caravans in the field rented out by the owners. Not sure what my address will then be? Also, the owner said I don't pay council tax. Would that leave me not on an electoral roll and not able to then apply for a mortgage? I feel like I wouldn't be officially living anywhere. Plus if I were to contact the council to pay council tax, as I believe is the law (as it will be my main residence), will I be dobbing them in?!

Starting to panic a bit. Not done this before so feel a little out of my depth. Would appreciate advice.

Comments

  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 32,708 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Council tax and electoral register are two different things. But it is possible the site owner is flying under the radar. What address have you been given for your post to come to?

    But if your credit history is poor enough to stop you getting a rental property, then you may struggle to get a decent mortgage until that has been cleared up.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 32,708 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Also to add, I don't know how reliable this link is but it talks about an exemption if the caravan is on a property for which council tax is already being paid.
    http://www.whatprice.co.uk/jobs-tax/council-tax-exemptions.html#axzz5cTtXvnrP
    I suppose it depends on the exact set up of the hius/field.
    I take it it's not a proper campsite with touring pitches?
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Find out if the owner has got planning permission for caravans to be let in their field. If not then you are in a difficult position.
  • 00ec25
    00ec25 Posts: 9,123 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post
    elsien wrote: »
    Also to add, I don't know how reliable this link is
    it isn't
    it ignores the context for council tax of whether the caravans are occupied as stand alone main residences
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,636 Forumite
    Photogenic Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    If a sited caravan/mobile home is being used as someone's sole or main residence, then it is a dwelling for Council Tax purposes and thus it is subject to CT. The site owner is at least encouraging/committing Council Tax fraud.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    I echo the above - too often does council tax get bypassed by landlords trying to play the system and ultimately, once the VOA find out, it is not the landlord who gets the backdated demand for an undeclared residence.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Facknats
    Facknats Posts: 64 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
    How will you get a mortgage if your credit rating is so bad you can't rent?
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards