Polltax

[james]

I want to enquire from you the following

1- I Have bought the house on 10 june 2009 and shifted on 01 august 2009 but the tax calculated from the date of purchase.
2- Right now elder son aged 20yrs studying in university london ,son and daughter aged 15 yrs studying in school and their cousin studying in university london are residing in the house.
3- Is there any exemption available in council bye laws for the students.
4- If available ,what is its procedure ,how can I apply for it.

Please discuss in detail
james

[George the]

hi there

you would be better asking on this forum, its more active.

http://www.isitfair.co.uk/publicforum2/index.php

1. Council tax is due from the date you occupy the property as long as its within 6 months of the purchase.
2. i am not sure, be carfull that the council dont class it as a HIMO
3 i am not sure
4.

[Stinky]

1 - George hasn't got it entirely right. You are liable for the council tax from the date the sale completed or tenancy was signed. You can claim an exemption under class C for up to 6 months IF the property was also unfurnished. If the property was furnished as well as being unoccupied then the council will class it as a 2nd home and you will have to pay at a discounted rate. Claims for this exemption need to be put in writing to the council. Also, the 6-month period of exemption is NOT renewable on change of ownership so if the previous owner had an exemption for 6 months prior to selling it to you then you will not be entitled to it.

2, 3 & 4 - Under 18's are not taken into consideration for council tax purposes and full-time students are disregarded. What you need to do is get any students living with you to get a "council tax student certificate" from their college or university and send them in to the council with a covering letter confirming the number of persons over 18 living in the property. You will only benefit from a reduction if you are the only person over 18 who is not a student, in which case you will get a 25% discount, effictively paying the single occupier rate. If there is any person in the property in addition to yourself who is over 18 and NOT a student then you won't be entitled to any reduction regardless of any students living with you.