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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think my MIL can't possibly rent privately again after not paying council tax for 10+ years?

39 replies

TypicallyEnglishMustard · 23/04/2017 18:41

Hello, posting for advice, as DH and I have no idea about any of the ins and outs of council tax... we know that they send you a bill, and you pay it, and that's it!

My MIL has been talking this afternoon about finding a flat/annexe (renting) to move into. DH and I don't think it will be easy for her, though, as she has been living on a caravan site for more than ten years, and hasn't paid any council tax in that time. This is because you are technically only supposed to "live" in a mobile home for 11 months of the year max, and have a permanent address elsewhere, on which you pay council tax (this is based on my minimal knowledge, I may be completely wrong). MIL does not have an address elsewhere, but now wants to move into a private rental again.

AIBU to think she's a bit stuck here? Surely the council will want to charge her the ten years of missing council tax once she is in a private rental, and her name appears on bills again?

OP posts:

Spartak · 23/04/2017 19:35

If it has been her only address for 11 months of the year, and she has not being paying Council tax elsewhere then she will be liable for paying it for those months. Makes no difference if she goes away on holiday for one month per year.

However the chances of her getting caught are not high.

specialsubject · 23/04/2017 20:05

With a good credit rating and an address history, the private landlord wont pick this up. However she needs to check what she owes. If a big bill comes in that she can't pay, she doesn't want to end up not being able to pay the rent. That will make future renting difficult.

harderandharder2breathe · 23/04/2017 20:30

She has a previous address though?! And presumably bank statements etc at that address?

My council asked for my previous address when I signed up for CT, I gave it with a sentence saying I was a lodger there so all bills were paid by LL. No issues.

harderandharder2breathe · 23/04/2017 20:32

spartak she hasn't been liable to CT though! She's not been dodging it. It wasn't due on the property she was living in. a year.

Spartak · 23/04/2017 20:41

Council tax is payable on a main residence, which this appears to have been. We had people living in caravans in field between house purchases who needed to pay it. She is also likely to have been in breach of the site licence and planning permission.

Mrsmadevans · 23/04/2017 21:10

OP is she old enough to be able to apply for council / housing authority oap flats in a complex or some such thing iykwim ? Just a thought as they are usually very nice and quiet ,glad the council tax is sorted for her

specialsubject · 23/04/2017 22:30

Not sure if she is liable, opinions seem to differ. Landlord won't care as long as she pays the rent and the council tax in the new property.

PeaFaceMcgee · 23/04/2017 22:34

Is she on the electoral roll? Yes, she should have been paying council tax - someone advised her wrong.

gallicgirl · 23/04/2017 22:36

It could be that the caravan park falls into business rates, particularly if it's mixed use.

Technically she probably should have been paying council tax on her main place of residence but most councils aren't fussed about where people lived prior to moving into the borough.

gallicgirl · 23/04/2017 22:40

PeaFace, being on the electoral register has nothing to do with council tax.

Council tax should be charged on any premise which is a person's sole or main place of residency. However residents on caravan parks tend to be quite transitory and when some are holiday makers and others more permanent, it can be more difficult to get the right plots registered for council tax.

PeaFaceMcgee · 23/04/2017 22:44

Caravan parks pay business rates and this covers all residents staying under their licence, e.g. no more than 10 months of the year etc. As part of their licence I think the park owners are meant to check that occupiers are paying council tax on a main residence elsewhere.

Bottom line is - the unit has been used as a dwelling house and she owes the council 10 years of rates.

But the council won't find out unless someone tells them. When she registers for council tax in her new rental, she should give a former address in another county, to be on the safe side.

PeaFaceMcgee · 23/04/2017 22:46

PeaFace, being on the electoral register has nothing to do with council tax

I know, but some people avoid registering because they're paranoid about being chased for rates. If she's not on the roll and hasn't been for years she may fail a lettings agency referencing process.

MrsDarkDestroyer · 24/04/2017 09:10

We do use the electoral register to check how many people are living in a property. The address she is named on the electoral register is the property she regards as her sole and main residence. Not a problem where the are more than 2 people already living in the address but if a single person lives at that address and claims Single Person Discount this needs to be removed as they are not entitled.

JanetBrown2015 · 24/04/2017 10:09

My son has lived at home since university and had no trouble registering for council tax when he bought a house and yet had not paid council tax when living here. I don't think the council asked anythnign at all when he registered. they are just more than happy to take the money. Also as he lived out of their geographical area it would be irrelevant whether he was in timbuktoo for the 10 years before, Scotland or a different borough.

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