Partner Killed

[racy tracy]

On Sat 12th April my husband was tragically killed in a motocycle accident.

 

We had been together since 1991 and were married in 2000,

although we never really lived together (long story).

 

When going through some paperwork i noticed that he was claiming single person discount on his council tax.

 

I know this is ok as he was living in his house alone as I lived at my parents with our son,

but I am now going to move into his house with his son.

 

What I am worried about though is, if the council question that he was married,

(because im not sure if they know or not),

and they suspect that I have been living with my husband all the time at his house

whilst he was claiming this discount.

 

There is nothing at all in my name at my husbands house, and I am not on the electoral role,

but I cant help worrying.

 

All I want to do is move into his house with our son and carry on paying the council tax as before.

 

Does anyone if I can do this?

i.e. would the council question as to what right I have to move into his house, etc..

.....I have got enough to worry me in the next few days that are coming up,

and I dont want this to be another one.

 

I have been told by a very dear friend of mine that the council wont be concerned about why im moving in etc,

all they are interested in is getting their money every month for the council tax....

.so she doesnt see it being a problem.

 

any help please:sad:

[BankFodder]

Very sorry about your sad loss.

 

I don't know what the council's attitude will be - maybe someone else will come along who is better informed.

However, I would certainly start assembling all possible evidence about his sole occupancy of the house - and reciprocally - evidence that you did not live there. If the council do decide to take an interest, you can be sure that they will spend a disproportionate amount of effort trying to prove their suspicions. If they start to ask questions then you must be ruthlessly honest so that nothing can creep up and bite you on the bum later.

Frankly, I don't see that you have any duty to volunteer information to them - but of course, to outsiders it does seem a strange set of circumstances and so be prepared for raised eyebrows.

Let's see what anyone else says on this thread.

[antone]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

I can't see any problem with what you propose to do, at least from the point of view of the Council. Even if they suspect that you had been living there (and there seems to be no reason why they would suspect that, given what you've written here) it would be your late husband who would have committed the offence if he claimed a single adult discount inappropriately.

 

Simply inform the council that you have moved into the house with your son and that your husband has passed away. As Bankfodder said, don't bother to volunteer information they haven't asked for - just tell the truth if they do ask any questions.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I can't add anything to what's been said, but I feel for you and am sure we can help you.

 

Hugs, HB

[racy tracy]

thankyou for the replies so far....i will do as suggested, but does anyone know if the council would want proof that I am entitled to live in his house? i.e. the mortgage details or something? or are the council not interested in things like that

[citizenkain]

if its a mortgaged house it shouldn't matter to them,that would make it none of their business,if hes been claiming single person discount and you come along and say your his wife and he was staying there himself at worst someone might ask why that is,but as already been said here,dont volunteer any information,he was staying himself anyway.

[caro]

I too am sorry for your loss.

 

If you are on the electoral register and/or have evidence to show that you lived elsewhere, such as bank statements, driving licence etc, if needed, I don't think you need to worry about this.

[antone]

thankyou for the replies so far....i will do as suggested, but does anyone know if the council would want proof that I am entitled to live in his house? i.e. the mortgage details or something? or are the council not interested in things like that

 

As long as you pay whatever Council Tax is due, I don't think the council will question your entitlement to live there. It's not really their concern.