4 years council tax arrears

[honeyhog]

Hi everyone, I left my husband 4 years ago and moved into a rented property with our children. I have been on the electoral register here and paid council tax in my name all this time. It now seems that HE has not payed the council tax on the marital home since I left. I took my name off the bill when I left. I have now received a letter from the council where the property is located billing me for the amount. Please tell me I am not liable? I am really panicking.

Well, I am not an expert, but if you took your name off the bill, and have been paying elsewhere, I don't see how you can be liable.

Did he remain living in the property? I used to work in Council Tax. If he lived there but you didn't then he is liable. If he moved out too and you were joint owners of an empty property then you are both jointly and severally liable.

Liability falls on who lives at the address in the first instance, then who has the right to occupy if it is empty.

yes he stayed in the house. We have 2 daughters and they used to stay there regularly until around 6 months ago when he stopped cleaning and they didn't want to go anymore. He has now let the place become a rat infested hell hole as our divorce is going through and I intend to get an order of sale. He has told my neighbour that he will let it rot before I get a penny apparently. Delightful.

He’s liable then if he’s stayed living there and you’re registered and paying elsewhere - I don’t see how this is your bill.

I’d put something in writing to them with all the info, where you’re living & have been paying etc and not worry about it.

Thankyou. He will do everything he can to make things as difficult as possible. I suspect that he may have moved in with his girlfriend recently so the property may be empty but he will still be on the electoral roll there. Will this matter?

If he moved in with his girlfriend then you will both be liable as owners of an empty property until it is sold or re occupied. All councils differ in discounts but mine gave one month off when a property became empty then the balance was due.

Thanks so much for your help