Is this benefit fraud or ok if family

Miranda65 · 29/03/2026 19:15

Don't lie to the council - it is indeed potential fraud.
Tell your siblings to F off - this is absolutely nothing to do with them.

OneOfEachPlease · 29/03/2026 19:16

Is he already paying council tax there? If he is then surely if challenged you’d produce proof of that. If he’s not can you not wait until he moves? If finances are dire better he chips on while he’s with you? Not sure why you’re siblings know whether you pay single discount or not or why they’re telling yo to do so.

Cheersminesalargeone · 29/03/2026 19:16

Why is dad living with you and not in his home?

BillieWiper · 29/03/2026 19:18

Stop speaking to them about finances and taxes and do not take any advice off them. It's ludicrous to lie like that.
Keep everything above board and you'll be fine. He'll be moving there soon enough.

Lavender14 · 29/03/2026 19:18

I'd contact a citizens advice service and ask. Then you hold firm to the advice you're given. It sounds like you maybe need to be lower contact with your siblings for your own wellbeing.

ChurpyBurd · 29/03/2026 19:19

For the sake of 2 months, get your dad to chip in the extra 25% & spare yourself the worry.

Tell your siblings you're on the discount if you like.
It's none of their business.

coralshow · 29/03/2026 19:21

If he’s only staying temporarily because he’s effectively homeless then no, it shouldn’t change anything. People are allowed to stay with you.

Theunamedcat · 29/03/2026 19:21

Empty home premium is 200% isn't it?

Is there any reason why he wont make the 60 day deadline

Friendlygingercat · 29/03/2026 19:53

Get your dad to register for the electoral role at the new address, with HMRC and the bank and any loans or credit cards. He should also register with the utility companies, Also the DVLC if he drives and DWP if he recieves benefit. These are the usual sources the council usually counts when they are checking on single discounts, Howevere they cannot know to the day when he is actually physically there.

Smarvellous · 30/03/2026 07:42

I think your anxiety is running away with you a bit, but you should still only do what you feel comfortable with. I'm not sure I understand the issue if he is only staying with you short-term - it's only a temporary arrangement? Definitely speak to CAB for advice re: what would be considered as him formally living with you, they may be able to reassure you.

I do empathise, anxiety like this is awful, so please be kind to yourself. Are you on medication for your MH? Maybe another trip to your gp to work out if it's at the right level for you?

Randomlygeneratedname · 30/03/2026 07:47

I'd just tell them you had claimed the discount but not actually do it. I couldn't be bothered with the worry about it being wrong but I also couldn't be bothered with the constant chat about it from them.

OhDear111 · 30/03/2026 07:50

It depends what “staying” with you means. You don’t normally declare a house guest to the council do you? Someone coming for a holiday. Is he paying towards your bills and rent? Is he registered to vote from your address? Or is he literally there for a couple of months?

My DM sold a house but it took some months to find a bungalow. I’m not single but she was not permanently resident here. As that was years ago though, I’d definitely look at the councils web site and look at the single status rules. They will spell it out.

MightyFlow · 30/03/2026 07:54

If he doesn't move in within 60 days he has to pay an empty home premium.

OP is asking about the empty home premium on her dad's bungalow. I assumed the reference to 25% single person discount was about her dad's Council Tax at his new home, not the OP's.

Yes OP, it would be fraud. But why can't your dad move in before the deadline?

WhatAMarvelousTune · 30/03/2026 07:59

Why do yours siblings care? Shouting you down? This isn’t costing them money.
I don’t know the answer but while I found out I’d either tell my siblings to piss off, or if easier, tell them I’d done whatever they suggested.

WeeFinbar · 30/03/2026 08:03

Why can’t he move into the bungalow? If it is uninhabitable at the minute due to significant repairs, you might be able to flip this problem and get a period of rates exemption.

We had something similar last year, we were happy to pay on both properties, but the council then wanted to charge double. This spurred us into researching what mitigation was possible, and we actually managed to secure a refund.

godmum56 · 30/03/2026 09:07

why is he not living in his own home?

Sharptonguedwoman · 30/03/2026 09:38

Puddingdaze · 29/03/2026 19:13

My dad is living with me while he waits to move into his new bungalow. If he doesn't move in within 60 days he has to pay an empty home premium.
My siblings who are slot older than me and have always hassled me to do things I don't want to have suggested that I pretend dad is already at the bungalow and I claim single person discount on the council tax.
I think this is fraud,but siblings are shouting me down and claim as long as council tax is paid on both then council don't care.
My MH is very poor and they think I'm making something out of nothing but I'm worried about it. I'm worried about my kids as I'm a sp. I'm so upset,I don't know where to turn

Always tell the truth. Always. If you lie and are found out, you have to pay the council back. Not worth it.

OhDear111 · 30/03/2026 09:43

@MightyFlow Ah. I assumed it was dad living with op. He just has to pay what’s required on the bungalow taking exemptions, on none, into account.

Pushmepullu · 30/03/2026 09:45

When my mil moved out of her house into sheltered accommodation we told the council her home was empty. She had a buyer but they were dragging their heels, they were buying a lot of the furniture. The council went round with step ladders and climbed her back wall to see if there was any furniture in the house. Because there was she had to pay council tax as they deemed it as occupied. Don’t lie to the council, you may get away with it, or you might not.

Maxme · 30/03/2026 10:06

If it really is going to be a month or two, then transfer over all bills and also ask siblings to help start transfer your dad's stuff, set a clear final day for move. He needs to start paying tax on the new place.

The council will probably not care as I expect many older people have a longer transition period. Also this helps ensure 2 months does not become 2 years and you are left in a caring role you did not sign up for.

Also, tell your siblings to butt out and mind Thier business. If they play up then ask them for 100 quid per day between them to cover your costs or go non contact.

Bythelight0fthem00n · 30/03/2026 11:00

Be careful some councils charge full price for an empty property & give zero discounts

Some councils charge DOUBLE council tax for an empty property !

Goldfsh · 30/03/2026 11:02

Not enough info here OP to advise you. But assuming your dad is just staying with you briefly (and is paying council tax elsewhere) then I wouldn't worry.

hididdlyho · 30/03/2026 11:18

Tell your siblings sort it out if they are so bothered. At the end of the day, you have to value your own mental health before the opinions of your siblings. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do things by the book, I wish more people we're like this. It sounds like lying would understandably cause you distress, so don't do it if the thought makes you uneasy.