Council tax query - can anyone help?

[Solopower1]

I've been on the website, I've rung up (no answer), I've googled and I've been on the CAB website.

It's a simple question. If you have an adult son living with you, if he's not a student, if he's sometimes employed, sometimes unemployed, at the moment on £14,000 pa, does he have to pay Council Tax? And if he moves out and gets a flat with a friend, who has to pay then? (In Scotland)

If you can answer this question, you will have not only my undying gratitude, but what is probably even more exciting - respect!

Thank you. Friend.

In England Council Tax is paid on the house. If you can prove single occupancy then you can claim a 25% discount.

I have no idea if the Scottish system is the same.

I live with my son, I don't want a discount. I just want to know if he has to pay anything. Do they know he exists? Will they send him a letter? Do we have to tell when he changes his job?

Thanks.

Council tax applies to the household. You say you're not interested in knowing about discounts, so having your son living with you won't affect your council tax. If he moves out then he, along with flat mates will be liable.

As long as you are paying the 100% now (ie for 2 adults) it is irrelevant how many more adults there are in the house although if he is registered to vote he will be in the system. You pay the same whether he lives with you or not and he pays a share when he moves with friend. If he claims Council Tax Benefit at any point he would need to notify of each change of circumstances.

Presumably you pay the Council Tax on your house so it would be up to you if you charge your son for part of this, along with other Utility bills.

Are you getting it confused with the Electoral Roll?

I think you need to ask your local council about these queries as they will have the definitive answer.

Thank you! So one lot of Council Tax for the house; I pay it, he doesn't - no matter what he's earning - and when he moves out, he and friend share it. Great.

When he moves, will he have to write to them to tell them where he is (assuming they know of his existence)? He says the landlord will do it, but I don't think so.

You can always find what you need to know on Mumsnet. Pity you can't ask simple questions on government websites.

Thanks again.

That is a nasty trick to play on someone, Babiecakes. How mean. You are well rid of him.

Think the responsibility for taking over Council Tax and Utilities accounts lies with him although ll may tell them to avoid being liable himself. He will need to register at his new address for the Electoral Roll , NI etc

Thanks. He is on the electoral roll, but obv they won't have his new address, so he'll contact the CT people himself.

I am ashamed I don't know all this, btw. I just pay whatever I'm asked for, and when my son turned 18 it never occurred to me to wonder what the situation was until he asked me, today.

Lucky for me you are well-informed.

Electoral roll and Council Tax are completely separate so he will need to inform both of them.

Yes. He will. When he moves out, he'll get to do all the exciting things like pay council tax, gas bills, electricity ... all the joys of independence.