Council tax advice - living with someone who doesn't pay

[gtegh]

DMil doesnt pay council tax as she is in receipt of pension credit. My sil will be moving in with her but doesn't have a job as so will be on universal credit.

Will council tax still need to be paid in this instance? Does anyone know how council tax works if you're living with someone who is exempt.

Thanks

They will have to pay or SIL will, it will be a reduced rate as she's on benefits

@RewildingAmbridge

They will have to pay or SIL will, it will be a reduced rate as she's on benefits

So does that mean even if you aren't working and you're on UC you still have to pay some? Do you know what the percentage is? Thanks

Both your mil and your sil are liable to pay council tax, but both will get a reduction, the amount of which depends on their income. I assume your mil's reduction is 100% (it usually is if you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credits.

Your sil will need to apply to the council separately for a reduction based on her income.

Yes most people have to pay something. Each council is different but it's generally something like 20%.

@Comefromaway

Both your mil and your sil are liable to pay council tax, but both will get a reduction, the amount of which depends on their income. I assume your mil's reduction is 100% (it usually is if you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credits.

Your sil will need to apply to the council separately for a reduction based on her income.

SIL is presumably not responsible for paying the bill though so MIL will need to update the council regarding sil moving in. Presumably mil has already applied for council tax support and been awarded full support based on receiving pension credit.

Yes mil has not paid for a long time. She gets 100% reduction

Well, yes, once sil moves in she will legally need to inform the council there is another adult living at the address.

@gtegh

Yes mil has not paid for a long time. She gets 100% reduction

Does mil receive any kind of disability benefit ?

Something else that might be a factor is whether SIL is living there as a carer or a lodger, so probably worth considering which description would be most appropriate.

It might also be covered in the benefits system. If an adult child lives at home they're expected to contribute and this leads to a benefit reduction, so this might be the same here even though it's a slightly different situation.

It's best reading through all the council tax help information and benefits/UC info carefully to see if you can recognise their situation within that, rather than asking for advice here, as people do post incorrect information. There might also be differences between councils as to how this is dealt with.

If sil is living there as a carer they would need to check that the correct disability related benefits are being applied for, to make them eligible for those council tax exemptions.