Council Tax

[shannon5g]

Does anyone know whether council tax has anything to do with ILR or naturalisation?

I am on Tier 2 general visa and am considering to rent a room now, but the landlord said the previous tenant was a student so the it was claimed to be exempt from council tax duties until Sep 2016. They said I wouldn't need to pay council tax for the next half a year, but I am worried whether this is legal and if it will influence my future application of ILR?

Any suggestions? Thanks very much!

[CR001]

You should not be paying council tax if you are only renting a room and your landlord lives in the property. If council tax is not in your name, you will be fine.

If this is the case, it has no effect on your ILR application. It would only have a possible effect if you rent a whole property yourself and do not pay the council tax which would be in your name.

[shannon5g]

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately the landlord doesn't live in the room. The whole property has three rooms in total and was rented by three students, then recently one person left, leaving one room available to me.

Will it help if I write in the tenancy agreement that the rent I pay should include council tax? Will it shift the duty to pay to the landlord?

[CR001]

For a HMO (house of multiple occupation), the council tax is usually the landlords responsibility.

If you are added to the council tax bill (i.e. 3 house mates), then just pay it. If your name is not added to the council tax bill, then no problem.

I don't understand why it is an issue.

[CR001]

Unfortunately the landlord doesn't live in the room

I said property, not room.

your landlord lives in the property

[shannon5g]

I see.. Sorry for being an a**

Thanks again!

[CR001]

No worries and good luck with your new accommodation.

Let us know if you have any further queries.