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:
Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 10:16

I don’t work in council tax! My understanding was occupancy is determined on whether a property is your sole occupancy ie if this is your only address, it means you live there.

Bluelady · 05/02/2018 10:17

Why on earth would you tell them for a three week stay? It'll cost them to make the change twice and they'll curse you.

NewYearNiki · 05/02/2018 10:18

He is a guest.

An old friend of mine hasnt notified the council of her dp living their most of the time so that she can still benefit from free council tax as a full time student.

I wonder what would happen if they caught up with her.

lizzlebizzle33 · 05/02/2018 10:19

I wouldn't bother, but thats my opinion

Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 10:20

www.advicenow.org.uk/file/2305/download?token=6y_eW5E5

This might help

petbear · 05/02/2018 10:27

Don't say anything. It will cause loads of problems that will take MONTHS to fix!

Inthedeepdarkwinter · 05/02/2018 10:29

I would not report this, why are you making life difficult for yourself, he could stay 20 days if it would make you feel better!

Tarraleaha · 05/02/2018 10:36

I don't want to give you the wrong advice, I wouldn't declare anything. He's not moving in with you, but he shouldn't use your address for anything of course.
I don't think the 21 days period means no one can stay for longer than 21 days, it just means you have 21 days to declare any change! Him being around is not a change. Has he already signed his new tenancy?

londonista · 05/02/2018 10:44

I would not bother with it. But I might tell the mate that I had, just in case she's thinking of telling them! You only need to read a few of the threads on here to know plenty would tell on you.

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 10:46

Friend’s concern is that he should be paying to stay, not that I’m committing fraud Grin she means well

OP posts:
londonista · 05/02/2018 10:50

Ah I see!
Forget what I said then.

Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 10:56

I’m just thinking about if it’s not ‘allowed’ the consequences for you ie having benefit stopped and having to pay back a years worth of benefit!

Bluelady · 05/02/2018 10:59

It isn't a benefit. It's a discount.

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 10:59

He has tenancies elsewhere for the time other than the 3 weeks, and is paying council tax there. The additional amount world our about £20.... it’d probably cost the council to do all the admin Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 11:00

*would be, not world our!

OP posts:
ilovekitkats · 05/02/2018 11:00

OP, you’ve had advice now from 2 posts saying that they work in that area and No, you don’t need to tell them about a guest so that is great news.

For those asking what happens when they catch up with you, they make you repay it.

My brother totally forgot to advise our local council when his then girlfriend (now wife) moved in. She put herself on the electoral roll. 18 months later the council have connected A to B, and want the discount back for that period.

Bluelady · 05/02/2018 11:00

Just thought, if it's before the end of March, we're in council tax holiday period so it makes no difference.

Crispbutty · 05/02/2018 11:02

Just tell your friend to butt out. Of course you don't need to declare it.

ilovekitkats · 05/02/2018 11:02

Bluelady council tax is paid for the period 1April to 31 March, you just happen to pay it over ten months. (Or 12 in my case).

Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 11:04

Discount then, having the discount stopped and having to pay back a years worth!

If they think he is living there and you cannot prove otherwise, you have to back pay back the whole year

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 05/02/2018 11:05

Omg your friend is being ridiculous- add him on and then go through all the hassle of having him sign a declaration that he’s moved out and give his new address. (Eye roll)...

Original poster
Sunsational · 05/02/2018 11:13

Thanks everyone, I don’t think I’ll bother informing the council.

If I get ‘caught’ and have to pay back the £20 then I’m more than happy to, but don’t think it’s worth the hassle of closing my account, opening a new one with him, closing that one to open another alone, then getting the discount confirmed again... I think it’d cost the council more than £20 to do all that admin and post letters anyway.

OP posts:
falsepriest · 05/02/2018 11:19

You won’t get ‘caught’ because you won’t be committing an offence.

Shedmicehugh · 05/02/2018 11:22

If you get ‘caught’ you have to go through that hassle anyways! You have to make a new claim! Possibly a fine too.

Visitors who have a main residence elsewhere are not resident in your property, was my understanding. I could be wrong.

Good luck whatever you decide

CheapSausagesAndSpam · 05/02/2018 11:24

It's not a change to your household. It's a guest.