Is the Nordic Council effective?

Question about UK Council Tax benefit when sharing a house?

• I've looked on the website for my council, but I cannot find the answer. Situation: I have recently moved into a shared house (that I share with the landlord who only lives here about 2 months of the year, but still considers this his main residence). As I am unemployed., I made a claim for housing benefit, which I was granted. The council tax office of the local council has also sent me a letter, saying that I am now receiving council tax benefit as well. So far, so good. However, the council has taken the landlord OFF their list of residents for the property, and has me listed as the only resident. I haven't told the landlord this yet, but I don't think he'll be too pleased (despite the fact that it would mean he doesn't have to pay council tax any more). He needs to be on the council tax list/electoral register for credit checking and other purposes. My questions are: if I am listed on the council tax for this porerty along with my landlord, how much will the landlord have to pay? Will he lose his 25% reduction for being the sole occupier? Or will the council recognise that he is still the sole council tax payer at the property, and so let him keep his single-occupant reduction? If they do not let him keep the reduction, will they pay council tax benefit on my behalf for the extra 25% that is now payable for the property? Or will they divide it some other way? Or (and this is what worries me) will they tell my landlord he now has to pay an extra 25% because he is no longer the sole occupier, but also refuse to pay anything toward my council tax? If that's the case, then the landlord would be within his rights to expect me to pay the extra amount. The trouble is, right now, I would find that really difficult. Help! Does anyone know anything about this? PLEASE NOTE: Don't tell me to call the council, because I have been waiting on the phone to them for about an hour!

• Answer:

  It depends by what you mean by sharing the house, if you are what is termed a lodger you are not liable for council tax at all. If the landlord considers this his main residence, then he is liable. If however you are renting the house that is a different matter, the landlord becomes your lodger. You need to go to the council and explain exactly what is going on. If he is receiving rent for the house, he is not liable for council tax.