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'Council Tax - Single Person Discount'.
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Pat Presley Date 30 September 2008
[FOI #3012 email]
Dear Sir or Madam
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Request: Information concerning Council Tax: sole or main residence
Thank you for your request for information which The City of Edinburgh Council received 26 September 2008.
The criteria by which you define (and determine) sole or main residence with regard to single person discount for the council tax.
The concept of sole or main residence is not defined in the regulations. We will take into account any relevant factor such as:
Where the person actually lives
Security of tenure
Whether residence in a property is tied to employment
The time spent at the property compared to the time spent elsewhere
The reasons for residence in each property
Where the customer is registered to vote
Where the customer is registered for health services ( doctor/ dentist)
Where the family lives.
How much time an individual spends at a dwelling would exclude him/her from the benefit
I presume by benefit you mean the 25% single occupancy discount (single person discount). There is no set time. If we decided that the property in question was that person's sole or main residence, we would not award the discount (assuming that there is at least one other person aged 18 or older who is not disregarded).
How long a temporary absence would have to be to qualify for the discount
There is no set time. If we decided that the property in question was not the person's sole or main residence, we would award a 25% discount, assuming that there is only one person aged 18 or older resident.
I trust that the above is satisfactory.
If you are not happy with this decision, or you want to complain about the way in which we have handled your application, please write to The Director of Corporate Services, The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG. You have the right to appeal the above decision within 40 working days of receipt of this letter.
If, after you have received a reply from The Director of Corporate Services, you remain dissatisfied, you have 6 months within which you may ask The Scottish Information Commissioner to conduct a review. You can contact him at: The Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS. Telephone: 01334 464610. Fax: 01334 464611. Email: [email address] .
For further information on Freedom of Information, please telephone us on 0131 200 2340 or visit our website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/foi .
If you wish to discuss the contents of this letter, please contact David Mills:
Telephone: 0131 469 5782
Email: [email address]
Fax: 0131 469 5010
Mail: Revenues and Benefits, The Department of Finance, The City of Edinburgh Council, Chesser House, 500 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3YB.
Yours faithfully
Cliff Dryburgh
Revenue Services Manager