Hello All

Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong thread, mods please can you move to relant if there is an issue.

I moved from my parents six years ago into my friends house this was until now they have a family of four and have kindly put me up for six years.

I have always used my parents house as a postal address for bank etc.

I was never registered at there home and just contributed towards there bills etc every month they are totally up to date on all bills etc.

I now have finally managed to buy my first apartment and am concerned

that when I register for council tax I am usnure what do say when I have to give a previous address in. Should I be honest and tell them I was at my friends house as they have no problem with me doing that they are two working adults and have never been on benefits etc.

Can anyone advise if:

Can I be in any type of problem living with my friends

Do they cask for a previous address

will they check my previous address in detail

Please help as I am unsure if the rules and do not want to cause my friends or parents any issues.

Hello All

Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong thread, mods please can you move to relant if there is an issue.

I moved from my parents six years ago into my friends house this was until now they have a family of four and have kindly put me up for six years.

I have always used my parents house as a postal address for bank etc.

I was never registered at there home and just contributed towards there bills etc every month they are totally up to date on all bills etc.

I now have finally managed to buy my first apartment and am concerned

that when I register for council tax I am usnure what do say when I have to give a previous address in. Should I be honest and tell them I was at my friends house as they have no problem with me doing that they are two working adults and have never been on benefits etc.

Can anyone advise if:

Can I be in any type of problem living with my friends

Do they cask for a previous address

will they check my previous address in detail

Please help as I am unsure if the rules and do not want to cause my friends or parents any issues.

It's the property that is taxed not the people in it per se, although people on certain benefits can claim for second person relief. Paying it is down to the householder.

When you move into your new apartment they won't want to know your previous addresses, nor will there be any problem for your friends.

Who has to pay council tax

 

Usually one person, called the liable person, is liable to pay council tax. Nobody under the age of 18 can be a liable person. Couples living together will both be liable, even if there is only one name on the bill. This applies whether the couple is married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership.

 

Usually, the person living in a property will be the liable person, but sometimes it will be the owner of the property who will be liable to pay.

 

The owner will be liable if:

the property is in multiple occupation, for example, a house shared by a number of different households who all pay rent separately; or

the people who live in the property are all under the age of 18; or

the people who live in the property are all asylum seekers who are not entitled to claim benefits including council tax benefit

the people who are staying in the property are there temporarily and have their main homes somewhere else; or

the property is a care home, hospital, hostel or women's refuge.

 

If only one person lives in a property they will be the liable person. If more than one person lives there, a system called the hierarchy of liability is used to work out who is the liable person. The person at the top, or nearest to the top, of the hierarchy is the liable person. Two people at the same point of the hierarchy will both be liable.

 

The hierarchy of liability is:

a resident owner-occupier who owns either the leasehold or freehold of all or part of the property

a resident tenant

a resident who lives in the property and who is a licensee. This means that they are not a tenant, but have permission to stay there

any resident living in the property, for example, a squatter

an owner of the property where no one is resident.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/tax/council_tax.htm#Whohastopaycounciltax

I moved from my parents six years ago into my friends house this was until now they have a family of four and have kindly put me up for six years.

I have always used my parents house as a postal address for bank etc.

You don't say how old you are.

As it stands, if you were registered for council tax at your parents address, then unless you have informed the council that you have moved, they may very well be billing your parents for you.

You are supposed to tell the council when you leave. Although lots of people don't.

I was never registered at there home and just contributed towards there bills etc every month they are totally up to date on all bills etc.

That goes back to my last comment, the council may think you're still living with your parents.

I now have finally managed to buy my first apartment and am concerned

that when I register for council tax I am usnure what do say when I have to give a previous address in. Should I be honest and tell them I was at my friends house as they have no problem with me doing that they are two working adults and have never been on benefits etc.

He he, what a fascinating thought; if you are honest and tell them where you have been for the last six years, there's a jolly good chance someone will come after you for six years council tax! Have you any idea how much that will be?

Personally, rather than risk that horrific debt I would tell them that I had been sleeping rough, or bumming my way around the Mediterranean, perhaps backpacking would be more palatable explanation.

Please help as I am unsure if the rules and do not want to cause my friends or parents any issues.

One of the unfortunate problems with council tax call centres, is that they are trained to ask questions, lots of questions. The purpose of all those questions is to establish who you are, where you are, where you've been, and how can they get hold of you if you fall into arrears. Believe me, they're not for your benefit.

If I were in your position I wouldn't actually tell them anything, I would write them a very short letter, brief, abrupt even; telling them your name, address, and the date that you have taken over your new address.

Sign it, keep or scan a copy, make sure you keep your payments up to date, and leave it at that.

That's what I would do

You should have no problem with telling them your past address. You are not named on the council tax bill so will not be held responsible for any arrears.

Enjoy your flat.

Thanks Chris

You don't say how old you are.

As it stands, if you were registered for council tax at your parents address, then unless you have informed the council that you have moved, they may very well be billing your parents for you.

You are supposed to tell the council when you leave. Although lots of people don't.

35 yrs old, and the council where informed when I moved out.

He he, what a fascinating thought; if you are honest and tell them where you have been for the last six years, there's a jolly good chance someone will come after you for six years council tax! Have you any idea how much that will be?

 

Personally, rather than risk that horrific debt I would tell them that I had been sleeping rough, or bumming my way around the Mediterranean, perhaps backpacking would be more palatable explanation.

 

My friends are a family of 4 and are fully up to date with there bills I have been living in there house, how is there a issue I do not have a council tax bill???

Will write to them Chris but can you respond as I have answered a little more detail???

Thanks Gizmo

You should have no problem with telling them your past address. You are not named on the council tax bill so will not be held responsible for any arrears.

 

Enjoy your flat.

Should of been a bit more detailed, I have never been responsible so far for paying a bill and did tell the council when I moved out of my parents and all the people I have ived with have all there bills up to date and I have never been on the bills.

Gizmo may be right, but I don't trust the council, and I don't recommend you do that either.

Personally, I'd play it safe; just in case...

Gizmo may be right, but I don't trust the council, and I don't recommend you do that either.

 

Personally, I'd play it safe; just in case...

Of course it's right - council tax isn't based on people its based on the householder - who is liable for the tax not the individulas living there.

It's the property that is taxed not the people in it per se, although people on certain benefits can claim for second person relief. Paying it is down to the householder.

When you move into your new apartment they won't want to know your previous addresses, nor will there be any problem for your friends.

Quote:

Who has to pay council tax

Usually one person, called the liable person, is liable to pay council tax. Nobody under the age of 18 can be a liable person. Couples living together will both be liable, even if there is only one name on the bill. This applies whether the couple is married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership.

Usually, the person living in a property will be the liable person, but sometimes it will be the owner of the property who will be liable to pay.

The owner will be liable if:

the property is in multiple occupation, for example, a house shared by a number of different households who all pay rent separately; or

the people who live in the property are all under the age of 18; or

the people who live in the property are all asylum seekers who are not entitled to claim benefits including council tax benefit

the people who are staying in the property are there temporarily and have their main homes somewhere else; or

the property is a care home, hospital, hostel or women's refuge.

If only one person lives in a property they will be the liable person. If more than one person lives there, a system called the hierarchy of liability is used to work out who is the liable person. The person at the top, or nearest to the top, of the hierarchy is the liable person. Two people at the same point of the hierarchy will both be liable.

The hierarchy of liability is:

a resident owner-occupier who owns either the leasehold or freehold of all or part of the property

a resident tenant

a resident who lives in the property and who is a licensee. This means that they are not a tenant, but have permission to stay there

any resident living in the property, for example, a squatter

an owner of the property where no one is resident.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/...opaycounciltax

Well that doesn't explain why they tried to charge me for my son, like I said, I don't like taking chances with the council.

Well that doesn't explain why they tried to charge me for my son, like I said, I don't like taking chances with the council.

Was you claiming 25% discount as a single person and then he became 18?

lol stop confusing the lad.

you owe nothing & will be charged nothing. you dont have to give previous address although it doesnt matter if u do in your case.

just register when u move in...make sure u get the dates spot on. set up a DD as thats best. Check the DD is taken ok. If any DD is ever missed contact the council tax dept asap.

Welcome to the world of council tax

Thread moved here.

2 threads merged 2 unapproved-please stick to one thread-its very confusing to hae 4 different threads in 4 forums dealing with the same question

I think the consensus is that you shouldn't worry

That's hard for me, I'm a born worrier!