Page 1 of 1

EEA EFM - sponsor has outstanding council tax

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:54 pm
by geeb33
Hi all,

I'm applying for EEA-EFM and my (Dutch) sponsor is a student. I just have two questions:

1. 4 of us have lived at the property for 18 months. My sponsor and our flatmate are the only two names on the council tax. We just set it up with the two boyfriends and never added myself or the flatmates girlfriend. The account has outstanding £100, basically our flatmate fell behind on his share of payments and has not yet paid this. My sponsor and I refuse to pay his half, yet my sponsors name is on the bills which request payment. This went to Scott and Co, Sheriffs office and someone even came to our door. Amount still owing. Will this affect my application?

2. My partner is now a student and gained CT reduction since Sept 15. We have to include this benefit in the application form. We are also sending in a declaration that he can support us both and will not be a burden etc.. will they have an issue with him receiving the benefit?

Thanks

Re: EEA EFM - sponsor has outstanding council tax

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 4:01 pm
by noajthan
geeb33 wrote:Hi all,

I'm applying for EEA-EFM and my (Dutch) sponsor is a student. I just have two questions:

1. 4 of us have lived at the property for 18 months. My sponsor and our flatmate are the only two names on the council tax. We just set it up with the two boyfriends and never added myself or the flatmates girlfriend. The account has outstanding £100, basically our flatmate fell behind on his share of payments and has not yet paid this. My sponsor and I refuse to pay his half, yet my sponsors name is on the bills which request payment. This went to Scott and Co, Sheriffs office and someone even came to our door. Amount still owing. Will this affect my application?

2. My partner is now a student and gained CT reduction since Sept 15. We have to include this benefit in the application form. We are also sending in a declaration that he can support us both and will not be a burden etc.. will they have an issue with him receiving the benefit?

Thanks
1) Not a factor as you are applying under EU regulations.

2) Unsure. Doubtful impact.

More importantly do you & sponsor (student) have CSI?
That is a must-have.

And do you have evidence of a durable relationship akin to marriage persisting at least 2 years?
These are what caseworker will be looking for in an extended family member application for RC based on an unmarried relationship.

Re: EEA EFM - sponsor has outstanding council tax

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 4:07 pm
by Casa
geeb33 wrote:Hi all,

I'm applying for EEA-EFM and my (Dutch) sponsor is a student. I just have two questions:

1. 4 of us have lived at the property for 18 months. My sponsor and our flatmate are the only two names on the council tax. We just set it up with the two boyfriends and never added myself or the flatmates girlfriend. The account has outstanding £100, basically our flatmate fell behind on his share of payments and has not yet paid this. My sponsor and I refuse to pay his half, yet my sponsors name is on the bills which request payment. This went to Scott and Co, Sheriffs office and someone even came to our door. Amount still owing. Will this affect my application?

2. My partner is now a student and gained CT reduction since Sept 15. We have to include this benefit in the application form. We are also sending in a declaration that he can support us both and will not be a burden etc.. will they have an issue with him receiving the benefit?

Thanks
1. If your name is not on the tenancy agreement or the utility bills, what documents do you intend to submit in order to prove a durable relationship 'akin to marriage'? i.e not simply boyfriend/girlfriend or flat mates. Do you share joint finances/bank account? Although it could be challenged, the UKVI will expect to see co-habitation of 24 months.
Your boyfriend should clear the debt with the court, including the legal fees.
2. The CT reduction is allowable for students, but are the Council aware that you are living in the property?
3. Do you and your boyfriend have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (CSI)? This is mandatory for an EEA national who is studying or self-sufficient.
4, What is your legal status at present? i.e Do you have a valid visa and if so, which category?

Edit: Beaten by Noajthan...due to my 'multi-tasking'.

Re: EEA EFM - sponsor has outstanding council tax

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:53 am
by noajthan
Casa wrote:1. If your name is not on the tenancy agreement or the utility bills, what documents do you intend to submit in order to prove a durable relationship 'akin to marriage'? i.e not simply boyfriend/girlfriend or flat mates. Do you share joint finances/bank account? Although it could be challenged, the UKVI will expect to see co-habitation of 24 months.
Your boyfriend should clear the debt with the court, including the legal fees.
2. The CT reduction is allowable for students, but are the Council aware that you are living in the property?
3. Do you and your boyfriend have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (CSI)? This is mandatory for an EEA national who is studying or self-sufficient.
4, What is your legal status at present? i.e Do you have a valid visa and if so, which category?

Edit: Beaten by Noajthan...due to my 'multi-tasking'.
+1

Two heads are better than one; a problem shared is a problem halved.

:arrow: @geeb33, all the above are pertinent points - vital to success of this case.

Be aware, there is no 'boyfriend/girlfriend' type of visa under EU nor UK immigration routes.
Forget the council tax, you will need unimpeachable evidence you are living like an old married couple or at least in a durable relationship 'akin to marriage' for this application to fly.

Re: EEA EFM - sponsor has outstanding council tax

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 11:23 am
by geeb33
Thanks, your help is very valuable. We will clear the CT debt.

1. My name is on the tenancy agreement and we have joint bank accounts (savings and current) since July 2014. No bills - annoyingly we have a prepaid meter for gas and electric in LLs name, LL pays TV/internet and is included in rent. We used a spare bank account in my name for 3 months prior while travelling as a joint account. I'm including the statements as it shows equal payments in from us both and all our travel payments. It's not ideal but it's all I have.

2. No the council aren't aware. We didn't understand the system when we first moved in, we should have put all names on it and I haven't thought about it until this. My mistake & regret not looking into it more. We didn't plan to stay in the UK when we first moved and I never bothered about joint names on anything etc which I am kicking myself for now.

3. Yes we have CSI for both of us

4. I'm on a YMS 2 years ending this May.

It's not a robust application but I'm hopeful, I have a good job and he hopes to get a job here after his Masters maybe our future intentions can help. Applying also allows me to at least stay in the UK with him until he finishes in August (as it will take about 5 months) and then if it's rejected we can leave together.