If you rent with other people but your tenancy agreement only has your name and the rent for your room, your landlord must pay the council tax.
Assured periodic tenancy
Tenants are responsible for the council tax bill for the whole period of their tenancy.
This includes whilst they are living in the property and also for any unoccupied period(s) for example if they move in after the start date or leave before the end date of their tenancy.
Owners are responsible for the council tax bill during any unoccupied periods between tenancies.
Properties on separate tenancy agreements
If a property is rented out on separate tenancy agreements, the landlord is usually responsible for paying the council tax.
The landlord would need to pay the council tax if either:
- the tenants each have their own tenancy agreement which makes them responsible only for their own rent
- the tenants each rent a specific room which may have its own lock or number (even if they share a kitchen or a bathroom)
- the property was built or adapted to be lived in by people who are not a single household (for example, a house turned into bedsits)
Example
Example
If your tenancy agreement includes the name of your housemates and you are collectively responsible for the rent on the whole property, you are responsible for the council tax.
Student discounts and exemptions
If a property has student tenants it might be exempt from council tax or eligible for a discount.
Apply for student council tax discount or exemption.
If you have been charged incorrectly
If you think that you have received a council tax bill that you are not responsible for, contact us on 0113 222 4404 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, except Wednesday when we open 10am to 5pm).
