Charnwood Borough Council

Council Tax is payable on all domestic dwellings in the Borough. This includes any property which can be classed as a self-contained dwelling, such as a flat, caravan or houseboat, and larger dwellings which may be shared by more than one 'household' or consist of a number of bedsits. The decision as to whether a property such as a flat or bedsit should be included on the Council Tax list as a dwelling in its own right, or whether it forms part of a larger dwelling, is made by the Valuation Office (the organisation responsible for 'banding' properties for Council Tax purposes and placing them on the list).

In general, self-contained flats will be included as separate dwellings on the list, but bedsits which share facilities such as bathrooms, will form part of the larger dwelling in which they are situated, and will therefore not be shown separately on the list.

Liability for Council Tax in respect of a self-contained dwelling normally falls to the occupier of the dwelling. For properties which consist of more than one 'unit' (such as a collection of bedsits), the owner or landlord of the property is likely to be made liable for Council Tax.

Determining liability is more complicated in the case of shared houses. Where the dwelling has been adapted for use by more than one 'household' (ie. an individual or a family unit), or where individual tenancy agreements allow exclusive use of part only of the dwelling with other facilities (such as kitchen or bathroom) shared, then the property will deemed to be a 'house in multiple occupation' and the owner or landlord will be liable for Council Tax. Otherwise the occupant(s) of the property will be liable. If you believe your property should be be classed as a house in multiple occupation please contact the Council Tax office but you must continue to pay your bill as requested until a decision has been made.