Bad tenant responsible for Council Taxes?

Question

I own a flat that I had rented out. I was finally able to remove a tenant that had not paid rent for 4 months. While living at my flat, he also did not pay his council taxes. Can I turn him in to the council and what information would they need? I do not have his new address.

Answer 1

It's nothing to do with you.  He is in debt to the council - not to you - and it is up to them to contact him to claim it.  In the UK tenants are responsible for council tax, not landlords.

Should anyone contact you to ask about his whereabouts, then by all means give them as much or as little info as you have.

Answer 2

Even anonymous tips to help us locate a non payer are welcome.  The people who do not pay their council tax contribute to the increase every year for the rest of us.

Answer 3

You can notify them - it will mean that your new tenant won't keep receiving the old tenant's mail from them which makes new tenant's wary of moving in in case the house is black listed.

they'll need to know their name and forwarding address, also when the moved in and when they left. You'll need to register it as empty for reduced council tax charges to you until new tenants move in.

Good luck

Edit: just re-read, in that case let them know everything you do know and any contact telephone numbers you have for them

Answer 4

As long as you informed the council when you moved out, the tenant should have informed the council and all the utilities. Now he has vacated you need to let them know it you are moving in, or if its empty with the readings. You are not liable

Answer 5

The liability remains with the tenant, I am sure that the Council Tax office are well aware that he owes arrears and they will be able to trace them him with very basic details: Name, Previous address, age. If you have details of his income (emplyer or benefits), His national insurance number, date of birth then they would almost certainly get him

You could write to them advising that he has now left the tenancy and whereabouts unknown, this would probably kick start a search for him, however, the situation is really between him and the council