u/GladCow3176

Hi all, I’m a female tenant in a two-bedroom apartment.

EDIT: My agreement is only for a room in a shared apartment.

Rent is paid to the landlord and bills and council tax are paid separately by me and the other tenant until they were present.

The second room has been unoccupied since 2nd March. When I informed the council in mid-March, they said I’m liable for the full council tax and sent me a bill. My landlord (manipulative, rude, and a miser) surprisingly agreed to cover half. He then said “I just checked on Manchester council website, there is a discount for single adults living at a property. Council tax is calculated based on no of people and there should be a discount applied now that you are the only person.” He asked to apply for this in my name and I agreed. However, while the direct debit came from my account (75%), he only paid me 25% — my share remained 50%, and I was already covering other full expenses. For March and April he paid me 25%, ignoring my messages about the financial burden. I had posted an ad from the start because I was worried about the expenses and did everything I could to get someone move in.

In April, I discovered he hadn’t even posted an; this was when I’d taken down the ad as he said in end of March that someone’s moving in; however, no one did. He asked me to put up an ad, which I did and arranged viewings too.

Now, for May, he’s now refusing to pay anything, claiming it’s entirely my responsibility and “i’m assuming you now have the 25% single person discount” — a discount I never applied for or received.

My tenancy agreement clause states: “Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Landlord, to pay the Council Tax in respect of the Premises for the duration of the Tenancy regardless of legal liability for the Council Tax. If the Council Tax billing authority bills the Landlord for Council Tax for the Premises and other property together, the Tenant agrees to pay a proportionate share of the Council Tax. If the Tenant qualifies for a discount or an exemption from Council Tax it is the responsibility of the Tenant to apply for this.”

I can’t afford a solicitor, and Citizens Advice said they can’t provide legal advice. Ive spoken to Shelter and Civil Legal Advice and they signposted me to other organisations instead. I’m lost and scared — can anyone help?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I don’t know if I can deduct the amount he owes from the rent and pay him that?

Hi all, I’m a female tenant in a two-bedroom apartment. The second room has been unoccupied since 2nd March, with rent paid to the landlord and bills/council tax paid separately.
When I informed the council in mid-March, they said I’m liable for the full council tax and sent me a bill. My landlord (manipulative, rude, and a miser) surprisingly agreed to cover half. He then said “I just checked on Manchester council website, there is a discount for single adults living at a property. Council tax is calculated based on no of people and there should be a discount applied now that you are the only person.” He asked to apply for this in my name and I agreed. However, while the direct debit came from my account (75%), he only paid me 25% — my share remained 50%, and I was already covering other full expenses.

Since my landlord was previously willing to let the room to couples and 50-year-olds, I took matters into my own hands, posted an ad, and passed his number to interested people who were willing to take the room— but they said he wouldn’t agree on rent. For March and April he paid me 25%, ignoring my messages about the financial burden.

In April, I discovered he hadn’t even posted an; this was when I’d taken down the ad as he said in end of March that someone’s moving in; however, no one did. He asked me to put up an ad, which I did and arranged viewings too.

Now, for May, he’s now refusing to pay anything, claiming it’s entirely my responsibility and “i’m assuming you now have the 25% single person discount” — a discount I never applied for or received.

My tenancy agreement clause states: “Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Landlord, to pay the Council Tax in respect of the Premises for the duration of the Tenancy regardless of legal liability for the Council Tax. If the Council Tax billing authority bills the Landlord for Council Tax for the Premises and other property together, the Tenant agrees to pay a proportionate share of the Council Tax. If the Tenant qualifies for a discount or an exemption from Council Tax it is the responsibility of the Tenant to apply for this.”

I’m not from the UK, can’t afford a solicitor, and Citizens Advice said they can’t provide legal advice. I’m lost and scared — can anyone help?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​