council tax.

[celia1938]

My son rented a property from a family member and was not given any contract or told he was responsible for council tax. He has now been told he has to pay the council tax,but making sure the landlord(his cousin) stays on the electoral roll.He,my son now has to go to court for non payment of tax,which is right.

[Traci66]

I rent out properties and the tenant is responsible for the council tax.

[bednobs]

did he not recieve a bill? He should have done - tenants are responsible for the council tax

[EcclesCake]

Usually tenants are responsible for Council Tax. Bit confused by the fact that the Landlord wants to remain on the electoral roll, which would intimate that he is a resident. If this is the case then the tenant would not be able to claim single occupancy discount on the council tax.

The landlord doesn't seem to be playing fair.

[celia1938]

Yes he did receive a bill,in the landlords name,so forwarded it on to him,and didnt hear anymore,until court summons.

[bednobs]

so how did the council know to send a court summons in his name, if they didn't know to send a bill in his name?
Anyway, he's responsible i guess so will ahve to go to court, tell them the misunderstanding and take it from there

[celia1938]

mmmmmmmmmmm,all a bit odd,but I think in this case the landlord is responsible,prob.trying some sort of tax fiddle with the rent.

[bednobs]

i think by law the tenant is responsible in this case

[tamborine]

how can it be a fiddle by the LL. Your son receives the services at the address so he has to pay for them - like we do, likewise.

[ummmm]

What sort of tax fiddle?

[themas]

Not a very nice family member! He obviously told the Cuncil he no longer lived there & gave your son's name. However, the Council would then have sent your son a bill before issuing a Court summons. He should talk to the Council about what exactly happened, & make an arrangement with them to pay the debt over a period of time. If he does this before the Court date, there is no need for him to go to Court. If he gets the Council to admit they did not send him a bill then he should ask them to withdraw the Court summons & cancel the Court fee (which he will otherwise have to pay in addition to the tax).

If he lives alone, he should make sure he is getting the 25% discount.

The landlord cannot remain on the electoral roll at that address if he is not living there - he should be on the roll at his present address.

[lcg]

bill is in landlords name....so landlord is responsible. he can't have his cake and eat it. the landlord should not be on the electoral register as he is not living there....the tenant is. the cock up is the landlord's fault for being a complete prat and he should pay for it. your son should be informing council tax that he has NOW agreed to pay and will do so from there on. it might work!!!

[themas]

lcg

Unfortunately, it won't work. The law says it's the occupier who is responsible, not the owner (if he doesn't live there).