Council tax for 18yr old

[Jumpking]

DS (18) lives with me week A and ex week B.

DS is registered with me as the main home, even though it is 50/50.

DS works full time, so I don't qualify for the single person discount anymore on my council tax. It's quite a chunk. DS is paying me a nominal rent, but it doesn't even cover the increase of council tax. It feels wrong to ask him for more money as he's on a low wage. I'm aware he's paying ex a nominal rent too.

Ex is likely still getting the single person discount, as that's who he is. It feels wrong that, yet again, I'm paying more as ex isn't stepping up.

How do the rest of you run this scenario?

Sorry not in the scenario but can you talk to ex and come up with an arrangement where he stops paying rent there? Or lowers it? If it’s 50/50 then I’m not sure how you have to disclose DS but ex doesn’t. I don’t think your DS should be paying two lots of rent even if low.

When DS was 17 he decided the going backwards and forwards between parents no longer worked for him and as his room was bigger at his dad's he decided to live there.
I assumed that most 17/18 yo would stop doing the backwards and forwards at some point and choose a main home with visits to the other parent.

Most 18 year olds opt to live with one parent and just visit the other or spend holiday at others house. Just explain to son and ask him to choose who he wants to live with and pay nominal rent to. Other parent claims council tax discount and pays it to child to cover their contribution to council tax.

DS has only just started doing alternate weeks. He was with me full time prior to that. He's still getting a feel for living with his dad again, so it's too early for him to make a decision.

As an adult why does he have to do alternative weeks he can just live with you and visit dad?

Because he wants to. He likes things to be fair and he's finally got the opportunity to live with his dad again. So he's sharing his time.

Because he wants to. He likes things to be fair and he's finally got the opportunity to live with his dad again. So he's sharing his time.

But he's an adult and his choice is causing financial difficulties. I know it's harsh but I would be asking my DS to contribute more or choose a permanent residence and pay only 1 " rent". If you don't feel like you can do that then you need to accept the extra costs of your sons choice.

Time to increase his rent.