So I became a home owner last month and to help out with the mortgage I took in a lodger. She has now asked to be named on the council tax bill, so she can register to vote (I'm not receiving the single person allowance) and I thought I'd see if there was anything I should be wary of? It's all innocent enough isn't it? Thanks in advance for your responses:)
Nothing untoward. She'll need to be on the electoral register rather than I the council tax bill though.
[url= https://www.gov.uk/yourvotematters?gclid=CjwKEAjwxtKeBRDMzoeQmYn5uHcSJACGCF3DNsN2GDOrgkFRyb4tVknXRC7XEzciclP5pe5lgh_T6RoCmInw_wcB ]Electoral commission[/url]
I wouldn't, and tbh we don't have both our names on and we're married - plus I'm pretty sure it only comes to the first named.
As pointed out voting is different.
Does she want to apply for credit or something? Normally a council tax bill is a nice accepted proof of address
Does she want to apply for credit or something?
^^^^THIS^^^^
Be careful.
No need to be on the Council Tax bill to vote, don't need any proof of address at all to complete the update form for the electoral register
Some proof of address is required for most 'credit check' type things but a lettings contract (which you could create) is usually sufficient if you're not a home owner.
On the other hand I can't see many real disadvantages. In theory means she's jointly liable for the debt (though I'm not even sure that's restricted to being named on it - council can come after you for Council Tax retrospectively whether or not a bill has ever been issued in your name while you were living there).
re credit, that's not the only proof of address and you can't/won't stop her getting into debt and a bad credit record on your address just by not putting her on the council tax bill.
Perhaps she wants a mobile phone.
Have you told the mortgage company and or home insurance provider that you have a lodger? Both will want to know and 'could' increase your premiums (for the insurance bit).
Both will want to know and 'could' increase your premiums (for the insurance bit).
They don't normally care as long as it's only one. I even had permission for 4 at one point, not named though.
I thought they ('they') had stopped linking bad debt to addresses, or was it just associations to other people they have stopped doing?
I thought credit records applied to people, not addresses these days.
No need to register with the council to vote.
If she's named on the bill, the council could go after her if you default! Can't think why she's so keen.
I thought she [i]had [/i]to be named on the bill? Otherwise they'll be coming after her for months of unpaid council tax, no?
Does she actually mean 'named' or just telling them that she lives there, i.e you are no longer entitled to a 25% single occupant discount?
OP stated he doesnt get the single occupant discount anyway.
Does she already pay her half of the council tax or is that included in the rent? I think she has her wires crossed and doesnt realise it's the electoral role she needs to be in.
But I suspect your council will want to know the details of everyone living there anyway and have small print saying you must notify them of any changes. Not that it really matters if you are not claiming any discounts.
Another reason could be she thinks you are charging for council tax (in the rent or itemised) but claiming for single occupancy discount.
I thought she had to be named on the bill? Otherwise they'll be coming after her for months of unpaid council tax, no?
No - one tax for one property which the OP is paying fully.
But I suspect your council will want to know the details of everyone living there anyway
Fortunately we don't live in that kind of country.
The lodger [b]can't[/b] or indeed shouldn't be named as a liable person (ergo have their name on the bill) unless they are 'joint and severely' liable which means named on the deeds / mortgage or tenancy agreement or financially linked
Even a person whose wife or husband who is on the mortgage etc. but who for instance is a full time student, wouldn't be named on the bill as they are not 'liable'.
Having said that, most council's don't have the resources to check everybody and wanting to be made J & S is seen as a good thing. More people to go after if the bill is unpaid.
Getting yourself out of J&S on the other hand is more difficult. You usually need a council tax bill or proof of lodgings at a different address.
A lot of time is spent wasted in the council tax departments where somebody (with an axe to grind) calls up and pretends to be the person they've got issues with. Advises the council they no longer live alone and Michael Mouse or Ben Dover, has moved in and 'whoosh' that'll be the end of your single person discount, council tax benefit, free school meals etc right there and then. All suspended. One phone call to end it, months of hard work to get it back! Scary shit. This was my job. I'm glad it's not anymore.
Surely a lodger has a tenancy agreement.
Lodger is a lodger not a Tenant therefore has no liability but still has an effect on Single Occupier Discount aka Single Person Discount. The Owner Occupier is higher up the Hierarchy of Liability. If the owner moves out, the lodger becomes the Tenant and in turn becomes liable for the council tax and at this point would be named on the bill as the liable person (not random capitalisations as they're important titles that can make a world of difference. The terminology is important in council tax).
Thank you everyone for your replies. We do indeed have a signed lodger agreement produced by the guild of residential landlords which I trust will cover me in the event of any disagreement. Perhaps she has her wires crossed, so I will let her know that she needs to register on the electoral register and not with the council. Thanks again, glacier.