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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is council likely to help re council tax?

37 replies

TetherEndOfMy · 07/02/2023 23:47

I was forced to move by my landlord. He was refusing to do repairs, tried to up the rent by 150pm and the house was unliveable for me and my son. Doors falling off hinges, electrics doing dodgy things etc. I had to move and a place came up. It is perfect and I couldn't lose it. I took it as it is near impossible to get somewhere after putting offers in on over 10 other properties and being denied (lone parent on universal credit, sigh...). There was a crossover of 1 month with both houses. I thought I could afford it but the reality is I can't. I can't afford both council tax bills and I'm going deeper into my overdraft. Will the council be likely to allow me to pay in installments if I explain my situation?

OP posts:
Domino20 · 07/02/2023 23:50

Are you quite sure you'd be liable for council tax at both properties? That doesn't sound right. If you're in a private rental agreement which obliges you to pay rent in the crossover period that's a completely different issue to council tax.

Original poster
TetherEndOfMy · 07/02/2023 23:53

Domino20 · 07/02/2023 23:50

Are you quite sure you'd be liable for council tax at both properties? That doesn't sound right. If you're in a private rental agreement which obliges you to pay rent in the crossover period that's a completely different issue to council tax.

For a period of one month I'm a tenant on two properties therefore liable for council tax on both.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 07/02/2023 23:54

I agree with the pp. I've had crossover rental properties and only been liable for CT at one. Get in touch, they do payment plans and will only ask for what you can afford.

Original poster
TetherEndOfMy · 07/02/2023 23:55

Ponoka7 · 07/02/2023 23:54

I agree with the pp. I've had crossover rental properties and only been liable for CT at one. Get in touch, they do payment plans and will only ask for what you can afford.

I didn't know this. I just put my move date and they sent me a bill for both properties.

OP posts:
alpacamaraca · 07/02/2023 23:56

As above. Tell the council the date which you moved properties, you're only liable for one even if you're rental agreement says otherwise.

Original poster
TetherEndOfMy · 07/02/2023 23:59

alpacamaraca · 07/02/2023 23:56

As above. Tell the council the date which you moved properties, you're only liable for one even if you're rental agreement says otherwise.

I've just checked online and it states this isn't the case though.

OP posts:
FeinCuroxiVooz · 08/02/2023 00:00

you only owe the council for the property you actually live in, surely? The other property was empty, no one living there. not sure of the legalities but if you query it in writing it might be that the issue isn't resolved until next paycheck giving you some breathing room.

TheTeenageYears · 08/02/2023 00:08

Did you hand back the house to the landlord early so all responsibility was theirs (key's/some sort of written acknowledgment by LL/deposit returned etc etc)? If that's the case you are no longer responsible for the CT on that property but if you just physically moved out a month early and didn't officially hand back you will be responsible for CT, bills etc. Councils charge CT during void periods now so either you or the LL are liable to pay and it all depends on the basis on which you left the house as to who that is.

mrsfollowill · 08/02/2023 00:08

You will be liable for both properties at the same time as you have the tenancy for both. BUT phone the council and they can give you a a payment plan- they would much rather do this and let you pay it off over time than take action against you.
Up until a couple of years ago there was no charge when a property was empty but the law has changed and it's common to be charged for both these days- even if you are reliant on Council Tax Reduction (Benefit) - you can only get it paid for the property you actually are living in.

Original poster
TetherEndOfMy · 08/02/2023 00:08

TheTeenageYears · 08/02/2023 00:08

Did you hand back the house to the landlord early so all responsibility was theirs (key's/some sort of written acknowledgment by LL/deposit returned etc etc)? If that's the case you are no longer responsible for the CT on that property but if you just physically moved out a month early and didn't officially hand back you will be responsible for CT, bills etc. Councils charge CT during void periods now so either you or the LL are liable to pay and it all depends on the basis on which you left the house as to who that is.

No I still have the keys.

OP posts:
JudgeRudy · 08/02/2023 00:09

TetherEndOfMy · 07/02/2023 23:53

For a period of one month I'm a tenant on two properties therefore liable for council tax on both.

Show quote history

I'm pretty sure you're NOT responsible for 2 lots of CT. You are responsible for the rent though if that's in your contract.

Original poster
TetherEndOfMy · 08/02/2023 00:11

JudgeRudy · 08/02/2023 00:09

I'm pretty sure you're NOT responsible for 2 lots of CT. You are responsible for the rent though if that's in your contract.

Show quote history

It literally says on the council website that I'm liable.

OP posts:
Domino20 · 08/02/2023 00:11

You can pay the rent, as per the contractual rental agreement, without being a tenant. Give up the tenancy but meet the financial commitments minus council tax costs.

Original poster
TetherEndOfMy · 08/02/2023 00:11

Domino20 · 08/02/2023 00:11

You can pay the rent, as per the contractual rental agreement, without being a tenant. Give up the tenancy but meet the financial commitments minus council tax costs.

You can't just give up a tenancy when you've signed a tenancy agreement?

OP posts:
TheTeenageYears · 08/02/2023 00:12

@TetherEndOfMy unfortunately you are still liable then. CT is a tax on the property, not the people living in it so one person can be responsible for CT on two properties. I would email the council explaining what's happened and with evidence of the need to leave the rental sooner if you have it. I'm not sure if Shelter could offer some advice on the habitability and therefore need to move out sooner to help your case.

Thistooshallpsss · 08/02/2023 00:16

This won’t help with the ct but consider applying for a discretionary housing payment for the period of double rent. This is from your council search for this term on their website. If you are on uc you may be entitled to some council tax reduction again search the council website or consult citizens advice. In any event negotiate a payment plan. Good luck

JudgeRudy · 08/02/2023 00:17

TetherEndOfMy · 08/02/2023 00:11

It literally says on the council website that I'm liable.

Show quote history

OK. Then I'm mistaken. I'm pretty sure your Council will 'allow' you to split the payment as long as its sorted by April. They won't say it's OK, but they won't do much either. Or ask to pay the extra in weekly amounts. For whatever reason they seem to favour 4 small weekly payments than I at end of month as the ItT system registers 4 payments.
Technically the old house is yours too tillbyour tenancy ends. I'd use it

ilovesooty · 08/02/2023 00:24

I don't know the answer but I would approach the council as others have suggested.

I wish you a much happier time in your new house.

Star81 · 08/02/2023 00:24

I take it one property is empty as you’ve moved the furniture over ?

if so many councils don’t charge council tax for empty properties ( only for a set period of time) . They have various ways to check on this but normally just photos of empty rooms is enough. Phone and ask if this applies to you

Domino20 · 08/02/2023 00:24

TetherEndOfMy · 08/02/2023 00:11

You can't just give up a tenancy when you've signed a tenancy agreement?

Show quote history

What kind of bizarre behaviour would it be if a landlord didn't want to try and collect rent twice on one property? Have you asked if they'd like the property returned but you still pay rent as expected?

Sarahcoggles · 08/02/2023 00:27

This makes no sense.
When I knew I was likely to split with my ex, I rented another property. I didn't actually move into it for about 3 months. In that time I was still with ex in the house we jointly owned, and still paid council tax there. I certainly didn't pay council tax at the rental property, until I officially moved there.
I would question this with the council because I don't see how it can be possible to owe council tax for a property that you're not using the services of.

Ssplicer · 08/02/2023 00:42

If you have moved out of the original property
The landlord is liable for the council tax, if nobody is living there

Just pay council tax at the new property

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 08/02/2023 05:14

I know your council’s website says you’re still liable for the council tax on the old
prop as well as the new one but have you called and spoken to them about whether they have any exemptions periods available for empty properties?

We had to move this time last year and had a crossover of tenancies where we’re were named on 2 different properties for one month. When we discussed it with our council, they asked what date we signed new tenancy agreement, what date we moved furniture from one to the other and what dates we handed back keys tp old property. Turned out we could claim council tax exemption for the time the old house was empty after moving out but before tenancy ended.

We would also have been entitled to the 4 days between starting the tenancy and moving in (we couldn’t physically move any earlier as there was no power in the house due to the massive storm last February) but the landlord had already claimed it as the house had been empty and only 1 person can claim the exemption per property per C. Tax year.

None of this was on the website, it was only when I gave the C.Tax team the details of tenancy start/end dates, when we got the keys and moved furniture across.

Onnabugeisha · 08/02/2023 10:52

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 08/02/2023 05:14

I know your council’s website says you’re still liable for the council tax on the old
prop as well as the new one but have you called and spoken to them about whether they have any exemptions periods available for empty properties?

We had to move this time last year and had a crossover of tenancies where we’re were named on 2 different properties for one month. When we discussed it with our council, they asked what date we signed new tenancy agreement, what date we moved furniture from one to the other and what dates we handed back keys tp old property. Turned out we could claim council tax exemption for the time the old house was empty after moving out but before tenancy ended.

We would also have been entitled to the 4 days between starting the tenancy and moving in (we couldn’t physically move any earlier as there was no power in the house due to the massive storm last February) but the landlord had already claimed it as the house had been empty and only 1 person can claim the exemption per property per C. Tax year.

None of this was on the website, it was only when I gave the C.Tax team the details of tenancy start/end dates, when we got the keys and moved furniture across.

This is exactly what we did as well with our move this past July. The overlap was ten days for us.

Flamingogirl08 · 08/02/2023 10:58

You are definitely liable it has happened to me in the past but not for the entire month. You're best to just ring them and see what they can do to help

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