Council tax department want copy tenancy agreement?
7:42 AM, 6th August 2020, 6 years ago
30
Categories:
I recently advised the council tax department of a change in tenants at a two-bed flat I own.
Normally that’s the last I hear from the council as the tenants sort out the council tax as per the tenancy agreement. The tenants are students so they claim an exemption.
This time though the council have asked for a copy of the tenancy agreement.
Is this normal?
I know that I must protect the previous(parents) address of the tenants so can blank that information out.
Many thanks
Chris
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Previous Article
Two speed rental market between London and the rest of the UKNext Article
Bank Base Rate and stimulus put on hold for now
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
9:56 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
not normal and none of their business
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 271 - Articles: 2
10:00 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
I am constantly asked for contract details??
Member Since October 2017 - Comments: 41
10:08 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
I to have had a request from a council for a copy of a tenancy agreement and contact details of the tenants, including their employers address.
Member Since August 2015 - Comments: 24
10:08 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Tell them you are not able to supply them a copy due to the Data Protection Act.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
10:13 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
ttfo
Member Since February 2018 - Comments: 627
10:15 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
It may be that they are prima facie disputing the exempt status and want evidence of, effectively, your non liability for the period; this 118 thread might be relevant.
https://www.property118.com/council-tax-liability-appeal-no-copy-ast/
Member Since February 2020 - Comments: 73
10:19 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
I believe they can ask, probably to prove leaving date etc. This should be covered in your GRDP to release as they are a local authority.
Not all will ask, Ipswich will ask if there are discrepancies in leaving dates. Colchester and Chelmsford never have done.
I think its up to the Local Authorities how they work ie the last two will give you 28 days free of rates if empty, yet the first only gives a 20/25% of for 25 days or so
I was told they can as they wish as there is no rules governing rebates.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 71
10:19 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by BP Surrey at 06/08/2020 – 10:08
Because it is for the collection of tax it is exempt from the Data Protection Act.
Council Tax seems to becoming an issue and we have been left with large bills when our previous letting agent had not provided details and they have just issued summonses against us.
Send them the tenancy.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
10:27 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Whenever I have a change of tenant my local authority always ask me to email them a copy of the front and last page (the one with signatures) of the new tenancy agreement. Not a problem as far as I’m concerned. I have a GDPR privacy notice which covers release of such information to Council and utility providers etc.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
10:32 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
The tenancy agreement is a private arrangement between the Landlord and Tenant, as my council persistently tell me, nothing to do with the council. Resist giving them a copy for they will only use it to your disadvantage, rather ask them to define exactly what information they require, then use GDPR to resist telling them all but the most basic information.