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Original poster

Who should pay the council tax?

238 replies

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:09

A couple are moving in together. Person A is moving into Person B’s house.

Person A works full-time, currently pays £1500 in house bills in their own place (rented), will only be paying around £700 once moving into Person B’s house (also rented). Person B has no children. Earns around £2000 per month after tax.

Person B doesn’t work due to ill health, is on disability benefits, also has a disabled child who receives disability benefits. Also receives £120 per month child maintenance. Person B’s benefits will go down by around £800 once Person A moves in, but will be making up some of the money by saving on some of the joint house bills that Person A will be contributing towards.

Person B currently doesn’t have to pay council tax due to disability exemptions, however once Person A moves in, the house will have to pay council tax again which even with the single person discount will be around £190 per month.

Who is responsible for this council tax bill?

OP posts:
Lougle · 16/03/2026 11:48

BillieWiper · 16/03/2026 11:45

I guess person A because it's literally the reason why it's now needing to be paid.

It's not fair for someone on disability who's usually exempt to suddenly start having to pay it. If I was B I'd say that A can only move in if they cover it.

Else B is out of pocket. Which isn't fair especially If they have disabled kids also.

Actually, thinking about this....if the OP is not considered Severely Mentally Impaired, she should have full exemption for Council Tax. There is no disability exemption. Only Severe Mental Impairment.

YerMotherWasAHamster · 16/03/2026 11:47

Sounds to me like person B would be getting royally screwed by person A and would be a bloody fool to let person A move in.

But if they did then at the very least person A should pay B what they are losing and then cover the additional costs of them living there on top.

Moving in together should not be making person A better off and person B worse off.

DaphneduM · 16/03/2026 11:46

Goodness, how complicated!!! Therein the problem I guess. If there's this amount of furore over finances already I would keep separate households, particularly as being exempt from council tax due to being completely on benefits is so advantageous financially.

BillieWiper · 16/03/2026 11:45

I guess person A because it's literally the reason why it's now needing to be paid.

It's not fair for someone on disability who's usually exempt to suddenly start having to pay it. If I was B I'd say that A can only move in if they cover it.

Else B is out of pocket. Which isn't fair especially If they have disabled kids also.

Lougle · 16/03/2026 11:45

There is no 'should'. You, being person B, presumably, can't expect your 'partner' to subsidise you £800 because that's what you'll lose out on. They can only be expected to contribute to their portion of bills, etc.

However, if that makes your living costs unviable, then you need to stay as two separate households.

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/03/2026 11:44

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:37

Person A won’t be paying the ‘lost bit’ of Person B’s benefits

Show quote history

Sorry I thought you said that what wa happening

but that is what happens when usually a mum on benifits and partner moves in - as income is in a pot

how long have they been together ? Living apart sounds easier

Malasana · 16/03/2026 11:44

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:32

Person A won’t be paying for Person B’s child at all. They will be responsible for half of house bills (rent, water, energy, tv licence, etc) and that’s it.

Show quote history

Does the child not use any of the utilities or watch tv? Person A in paying half is definitely paying for the child!

Avantiagain · 16/03/2026 11:44

Person A. Person B shouldn't start paying it now just because someone has moved in. They would have been other bills before so it is reasonable those should be split.

EvangelineTheNightStar · 16/03/2026 11:44

Ncforthis2267 · 16/03/2026 11:40

Fully expect to be ripped apart on Mumsnet, but I think person A needs to 'move back in' with his parents/brother/trustworthy friend, then as far as the neighbours are concerned come and visit you regularly but only stay 2 or 3 nights a week. Even if he has to pay a couple hundred a month to maintain 'a room' elsewhere then everyone will be much better off.

Make sure he parks his car round the corner half the time and not in your drive.

So fraud?

BeeCucumber · 16/03/2026 11:44

The financial set up is too complicated. Do not move in together. It will end in tears.

Malasana · 16/03/2026 11:43

Howeasy · 16/03/2026 11:35

what about food? Will that be split 3 ways or two? Electricity…3 ways or two?

Show quote history

Exactly. Gas, water rates, internet, tv licence, it’s not as simple as splitting food 3 ways.
Person A is definitely subsidising the child. But as I said before, if it’s being treated as a financial transaction and not a family at this stage, I’d be swerving it.
B which is clearly the OP is resentful about the CT increase and losing some benefits. Person A who is the only one working will be getting the poorer “deal”.
To me though, it’s a recipe for disaster all round.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 16/03/2026 11:42

Person A should make good any loss in benefits including council tax by taking a greater proportion of the bills.

Original poster
Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:42

previouslyknownas · 16/03/2026 11:41

I’ve just Google searched this
if I get LCWRA at the moment and cancel it
will I get the same amount after april

this is what comes up and I would say I’m 99 percent correct

If you cancel your current claim and reapply after
6 April 2026, it will be treated as a new claim. This means you will likely lose the "protected" status given to existing claimants and receive a significantly lower monthly amount.

if you want to be 100 percent sure pop over to reditt to the dwp / benefit section.
you have DWP / Universal Credit workers who will give you the correct answer
But I’m fairly certain I’m correct

Show quote history

That’s if you cancel it… I’m not cancelling my LCWRA? Cancelling and reapplying is different than a renewal, where the DWP ask if your condition is still the same. If you have never applied for it before please don’t try and lecture people who actually receive it on how it works

OP posts:
Howeasy · 16/03/2026 11:41

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:40

10

Show quote history

If dc has a school trip etc, and B cannot afford it will A be expected to help out?

DrivinginFrance · 16/03/2026 11:41

The homeowner is liable but if you are a family it should come out of the family pot.

previouslyknownas · 16/03/2026 11:41

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:33

If the LCWRA needs to be renewed it will be at the higher rate because it’s not a new application

Show quote history

I’ve just Google searched this
if I get LCWRA at the moment and cancel it
will I get the same amount after april

this is what comes up and I would say I’m 99 percent correct

If you cancel your current claim and reapply after
6 April 2026, it will be treated as a new claim. This means you will likely lose the "protected" status given to existing claimants and receive a significantly lower monthly amount.

if you want to be 100 percent sure pop over to reditt to the dwp / benefit section.
you have DWP / Universal Credit workers who will give you the correct answer
But I’m fairly certain I’m correct

Ncforthis2267 · 16/03/2026 11:40

Fully expect to be ripped apart on Mumsnet, but I think person A needs to 'move back in' with his parents/brother/trustworthy friend, then as far as the neighbours are concerned come and visit you regularly but only stay 2 or 3 nights a week. Even if he has to pay a couple hundred a month to maintain 'a room' elsewhere then everyone will be much better off.

Make sure he parks his car round the corner half the time and not in your drive.

Original poster
Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:40

Barrenfieldoffucks · 16/03/2026 11:40

No, but presumably by contributing to household costs that is replacing the benefits that would be needed for that purpose?

Show quote history

There will still be a shortfall of some amount

OP posts:
Pinkelephant66 · 16/03/2026 11:40

Why are they moving in together at all?!

Barrenfieldoffucks · 16/03/2026 11:40

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:37

Person A won’t be paying the ‘lost bit’ of Person B’s benefits

Show quote history

No, but presumably by contributing to household costs that is replacing the benefits that would be needed for that purpose?

Original poster
Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:40

Howeasy · 16/03/2026 11:39

what age is the child?

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10

OP posts:
Howeasy · 16/03/2026 11:39

Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:36

Everyone has very strict diet needs - vegetarian, meat eaters, fussy eaters so Person A is responsible for their food costs, Person B is responsible for theirs and childs because it works out easier

Show quote history

what age is the child?

TwistedWonder · 16/03/2026 11:38

Malasana · 16/03/2026 11:21

If they can’t agree to support each other at this stage, no one should be moving in anywhere!
CT should be split in the same way other bills are going to be.

100% this. Who could be arsed with this much drama before they even start living together

Original poster
Cavapoo123 · 16/03/2026 11:38

EvangelineTheNightStar · 16/03/2026 11:38

Especially if not officially and B can ask them to leave at any time!

Show quote history

It is official and they will be on the tenancy.

OP posts:
EvangelineTheNightStar · 16/03/2026 11:38

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/03/2026 11:36

Too complicated.

Thats the issue with getting benifits - you lose a chunk when someone moves in as they assume will share costs

equally not fair that A has to pay the lost bit plus ct plus half of bills

A may as well stay where they are as cost joint/share is going to be the same for them but then sharing a house and child

Especially if not officially and B can ask them to leave at any time!