Council tax department want copy tenancy agreement?
7:42 AM, 6th August 2020, 6 years ago
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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
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Member Since October 2018 - Comments: 149
10:38 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 06/08/2020 – 09:56
Perfectly normal.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
11:25 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 06/08/2020 – 10:15
council can write to tenants–nil to do with you
Member Since June 2018 - Comments: 5
11:33 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
I had the same request a couple of years ago from Glasgow City Council. When I asked them the purpose of their request, they told me it was nothing to do with Council Tax, and that HMRC were using Councils to check that people with rental property were declaring the income for tax purposes.
Member Since August 2015 - Comments: 342
11:38 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
If it was me I would simply question your council. Like you say in the past after giving them the names you heard no more. Last week I informed my council by phoning, the names of my new student tenants. I was told quite definitely that they would take it from here, and contact my tenants at the rented address. I did look online to consider telling them this way, and it mentioned sending a signed lease. When I had queries about informing them online they did say I would have to email them a copy of the front of the lease. So it looks to me it differs how you tell them, and probably best to do it by phone. So if you did do it by phone, its worth questioning it. In my experience they often make errors and one can get different answers at different times!
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 45
11:45 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Nancy Metz at 06/08/2020 – 11:33
There is no need to provide a copy of any agreement for that purpose. All HMRC require from the councils is a record of who pays the council tax (or is registered to do so) at each of the properties in their authority. HMRC will then cross reference that with the Land Registry. Many landlords have been caught not declaring income by this method.
Member Since October 2018 - Comments: 149
11:52 AM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 06/08/2020 – 11:25
Yes of course nowt to do with the LL & Owner of the Property !!
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 195
12:15 PM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
As responsible LL’s it’s far better to simply advise them by email of the dates that the new Tenants have moved in and include the top and signed copy. It’s called cooperation. I’ve had a situation with The LB of Waltham Forest where I ignored their requests for documentation, and they simply sent me the full Council Tax bill. So I had to comply in the end.
Member Since December 2019 - Comments: 241
1:03 PM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
Thankyou all for your information
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 8
7:09 PM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
i had that happen for last 5 years in 2 properties i sent them copies of all at least 5 times plus all my bank statements it took almost 1 year till they stopped pestering me that is the new face of councils just give them all and hope they will leave you alone
Member Since July 2015 - Comments: 66
7:33 PM, 6th August 2020, About 6 years ago
The areas I operate in require evidence of the course the student is on and the university have a process for providing certificates for students. Just send this in. As landlord of an HMO you are responsible for the Council Tax, irrespective of what your Tenancy says, so best collect them in and forward them yourself. As has been said the Tenancy Agreement is between you and the Tenant.