Council Tax Dispute

[Bish Bosh]

Hi I am new to forums so I apologise in advance if I do something wrong. I have read some posts re council tax but need advice please.

I rented a house to 2 students (who are exempt from council tax)and 1 working person. It states in his contract that he has to pay council tax and he received the single person discount. The council have had copies of the contracts and said he had to pay Council Tax to me and I had to pay it to them. Since then he has lost his job.

We have been told that he is not entitled to Council Tax Benefit because it is a house with shared facilities and that I as landlord am liable because my name is on the account as they class it as an HMO.
How can this be correct? They were perfectly happy for him to pay council tax for a whole property when he was working, but are now using the fact that he shares a house against him. He cannot afford to pay the council tax despite it being in his contract, because he cannot get benefit. I do not live in that property and already pay my council Tax on the house where I live.
When I spoke to the council they were unsympathetic and said I have to charge it him in his rent as before. I have cancelled my direct debit to the council until this is resolved - does anyone have any advice as I do not intend to pay this council tax for my tennant.
Thank you

[Snorkerz]

I can not answer your specific question, but please be careful over non-payment of council tax as it is one of the few debts that can result in imprisonment.

[Gordon999]

I suggest you check the policy of your local council to see what they say about which responsible party pays the council tax. Here a link to Glasgow Council :

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residen...ng_CouncilTax/

[Telometer]

1. You may get more sensible answers on the general board, this board is more focussed on income and capital gains taxes.

2. Do as Gordon says.

3. If I understand you correctly, it is stated in his contract that he must pay you the council tax. Just because (a) he is unemployed, or (b) he cannot afford it, or (c) he cannot get benefit, does not, I suspect, relieve him of the duty to pay to you the Council Tax. Likewise, it does not relieve you of the duty to pay an identical sum to the Council. It seems to me that you would both be best served if he were to move out asap. I suggest you reinstate your standing order to the Council and continue to bill your tenant.

[King_Maker]

I can not answer your specific question, but please be careful over non-payment of council tax as it is one of the few debts that can result in imprisonment.

Indeed - as a friend of mine discovered when he had to spend Christmas chez HMP.