Council Tax Issue - employed but in 'student' accommodation

[mogwai84]

I moved into a a block of flats which are predominantly student accommodation last september, however a number of people including myself met their 'young key workers' criteria (uni staff/nhs/police etc). Before moving in the company letting the accomodation said they were in negotiation with the council to see how council tax would be dealt with (nothing in writing tho). We haven't heard anything since, no electoral roll details to fill or anything. I haven't spoken to the accommodation managers about this either but have always expected the council to catch up and for a bill to arrive... however I'm a mixture of please that i haven't paid anything, and slightly worried about things getting nasty.

 

I'm not trying to evade them or anything, but would like a bit of advice over the smart thing to do. I don't really want a court summons to suddenly appear or for a nice big invoice for a years tax. However I don't want to be the honest guy who might screw everyone in my block of flats over:shock:

[Conniff]

They will catch you in the end and the longer you dodge it the bigger the bill will be when they do.

[mogwai84]

I think that's likely, however how will the bill increase when they catch up with me? Is it just interest accrued on the amount over time or will it be substantially more?

[Conniff]

No interest is added to council tax arrears and court proceedings are only to establish your liability to pay council tax if you should fail to pay any.

 

The bill will be bigger because the amount owed will grow with time.

 

I also don't see things getting 'nasty'. Once the council realise that there is someone out there who hasn't paid any tax, they will send a bill and expect you to contact them and work something out.

If you can put some money aside for the inevitable rainy day, you would help yourself.

 

As much as I hate council tax and the councils 'couldn't care less if you can afford it or not' attitude, and would dearly love to say 'don't volunteer', if and when it does arrive, you might make you life difficult financially in other areas.

 

I will have to sit on the fence and not actually say one way or the other what to do about it.

Edited June 24, 2009 by Conniff

[mogwai84]

No interest is added to council tax arrears and court proceedings are only to establish your liability to pay council tax if you should fail to pay any.

 

The bill will be bigger because the amount owed will grow with time.

 

I also don't see things getting 'nasty'. Once the council realise that there is someone out there who hasn't paid any tax, they will send a bill and expect you to contact them and work something out.

If you can put some money aside for the inevitable rainy day, you would help yourself.

 

As much as I hate council tax and the councils 'couldn't care less if you can afford it or not' attitude, and would dearly love to say 'don't volunteer', if and when it does arrive, you might make you life difficult financially in other areas.

 

I will have to sit on the fence and not actually say one way or the other what to do about it.

 

great advice. I'm moving out of the property in a month and so the amount will only be 1 years worth. I'll take your advice about putting money aside, as I'm sure they'll catch up eventually.

[ss002d6252]

If the property comes under a Class M exemption (halls of residence or equivalent) then providing the use of the property is predominantly lived in by qualifying students for council tax purposes then other occupiers who are not students can occupy the property and the Class M exemption would remain valid.

[Aviva]

I was in a shared student residence for awhile run by a HA that was set up to provide accommodation for students and people who had recently left higher education. I had the same situation as you while living in astudent flat I started working. We were not charged Council Tax as long as most of the occupants were still students.

[mogwai84]

the last 2 post have made my day! fingers crossed that is the case. i always thought it was a little bit suspect that 'employed' people could live in halls and not have to worry about council tax, but the landlord company seemed to think it shouldn't be a problem. hopefully my accommodation is Class M