Re: Back dated bill of £10,000 for unassessed rented property
I think the property is liable for council tax as you are not a dependant but a commercial tenant, however I would say that the Council should have allocated some of the amount as official error. As the question is could you have reasonably known that you were liable and is the backdating fair. I would argue not, they knew of the change in occupation as they had you on the electoral role and did nothing the error is mainly due to they incompetance rather than you failing to declare. incidentally it may have changed but I think you can claim council tax benefit to run concurrently with housing benefits. In the old days I don't know if it changed, a claim for HB was treated as both housing and council tax. As for housing benefit I am confused as to the talk of reasonable rent as if you are above the reference level for that type of property in that area you will get less although it sounds as if you pay a rent that is unlikely to be affected by this I assume the £500 is per month not week.
Get your local Councillor involved they still have some clout in this area good luck!
I think the property is liable for council tax as you are not a dependant but a commercial tenant, however I would say that the Council should have allocated some of the amount as official error. As the question is could you have reasonably known that you were liable and is the backdating fair. I would argue not, they knew of the change in occupation as they had you on the electoral role and did nothing the error is mainly due to they incompetance rather than you failing to declare. incidentally it may have changed but I think you can claim council tax benefit to run concurrently with housing benefits. In the old days I don't know if it changed, a claim for HB was treated as both housing and council tax. As for housing benefit I am confused as to the talk of reasonable rent as if you are above the reference level for that type of property in that area you will get less although it sounds as if you pay a rent that is unlikely to be affected by this I assume the £500 is per month not week.
Get your local Councillor involved they still have some clout in this area good luck!
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