Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not cancel my single person occupancy reduction if I have someone to stay?

55 replies

Sunsational · 05/02/2018 09:35

Boyfriend has asked to stay for just under 3 weeks when between tenancies. This is fine, I don’t plan to charge him anything, he can contribute to food etc.

My friend says I need to get the single person occupancy discount removed on my council tax bill - do I?

OP posts:
ElenaBothari · 05/02/2018 09:37

No, he’s just a guest. He’s not moving in. I wouldn’t worry about this.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 05/02/2018 09:37

I've wondered whether I should have done this in the past when I've had people to stay so I'd be interested in the answer

NoqontroI · 05/02/2018 09:39

No, he's not living there or going to have his name on the tenancy. He's just staying for a few weeks.

LordBuckethead · 05/02/2018 09:39

No, unless he's financially contributing to the household (ie. Rent and bills) you don't need to declare it.

BMW6 · 05/02/2018 09:39

I am sure that such a short visit would not have an impact, but to be sure go to their website and double check.

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 09:40

It says on the website that I have to notify the council of any changes to my household within 21 days... But he’ll be gone again after 21 days

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 09:41

I have a pretty cheap mortgage so don’t need him to contribute to that, and I don’t think the bills will go up by much

OP posts:
Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 09:43

Your partner can stay over every single night, as long as they still have their own address.

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 09:44

He won’t have his own address - he’ll be between tenancies so not paying council tax anywhere

OP posts:
Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 09:45

Exactly! It will be very hard to prove that he isn’t living there

mummymeister · 05/02/2018 09:47

If you are absolutely certain its less than 21 days then fine but if there is any chance it could go on longer then just tell the council now in writing to cover yourselves. its always better to be upfront than wait for a nosy neighbour to call the council and tell them that there are 2 of you living there.

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 09:47

So every time I have a friend to stay I should ask their council tax status and inform the council if they’re not paying elsewhere? Surely guests are permitted?

OP posts:
Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 09:50

If a homeless friend was staying with, it would be the same. Guests are not homeless.

starrysights · 05/02/2018 09:54

Guests have their own house to go back to - that's why they're a guest.

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 09:54

I guess I need to inform them then... Just annoying as they’ll close the account, reopen a new one, then do it again, then need to have the single occupancy discount applied again to get back to where I started and that’ll take them months...

OP posts:
Abracadabraapileofbollocks · 05/02/2018 09:56

If he's not registering to vote / utilities / with banks there then no. But i do wonder what he will do with post etc?

treeofhearts · 05/02/2018 09:56

I wouldn't. He isn't living there, just staying for a few weeks.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2018 10:00

I wouldn’t.

astoundedgoat · 05/02/2018 10:00

Why would you do that? Your friend is being bizarre. If he was staying for 3 or 4 months, perhaps, but this is 3 weeks. That's the length of a holiday. Do you tell the tax office that you are going to be resident in Spain for 3 weeks when you go on holiday? Or your health insurance, mobile phone provider?

There is no change to your living arrangements here. You are having a very short term guest, who is not planning to stay long term (i.e. he has another tenancy pending).

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 10:01

He’s not going to bother changing his address with banks etc. He gets online statements anyway and isn’t expecting any post. His old housemate will pass anything on that comes to the old place.

OP posts:
Auspiciouspanda · 05/02/2018 10:03

I work in housing benefits and council tax support (awarding single person discounts too).

He's a temporary guest under a month so it doesn't affect your discount.

ferrier · 05/02/2018 10:04

If his post continues to go elsewhere, along with it being such a short duration, then I wouldn't consider that as moving in. But make sure he doesn't!

TheCowWentMoo · 05/02/2018 10:04

He's just staying, hes not paying rent or bills. It would be a complete waste of time to notify the council about a guest

Spartasprout · 05/02/2018 10:10

I used to train council tax staff, and there is no requirement to notify of a guest staying.

Hissy · 05/02/2018 10:12

Don't be daft! he's not moving in! he's staying with you and not contributing to the bills