Hi everyone!

My first post on here and I would be really grateful for your help!

I bought a house with my brother (both 28 years old) and after waiting 2 years for the property to be built it was finally complete and the sale went through in June 2009.

My brother moved into the property in June 2009 but I stayed at home with my parents.

My brother is also full time student.

I eventually moved into the property in April 2010.

We recently received a council tax bill for the period between 2009/10 and 20010/11. My brother has been taken off the payment as he is a student, but I am still being charged the full amount -25%.

Can I be made exempt from the payments for the 2009/10 bill as I was not resident in the property? Will they back date this or will they say I was ignorant in not putting a claim in earlier?

Thanks in advice for you help!

Welcome to the site.

Its unlikely they will backdate,although you have nothing to lose by trying=of course you will need to provide adequate proof that you was not at the propert during these periods.

Thanks MARTIN3030.

Whats the best way to go about this? Is it best to phone my local council up or send them a letter with evidence disagreeing with the decision?

Thanks again!!

I don't think it's unlikely that the CT dept would backdate it, especially not if they made a mistake. Put everything in writing. Where were you living before you moved into your house? Have you got a council tax bill from the place you were living before? Or utility bills? They may be adequate proof that your main residence was elsewhere for that period.

Thanks for the reply!

I was living at home with my parents, I do have various bills from the period. I'll see what I can put together.

Thanks!

Your bro will probably have to complete a student exemption form if he hasn't done already. Hope you get it all sorted