24.—(1) The income and capital of an applicant’s partner is to be treated as income and capital of the applicant and is to be calculated or estimated in accordance with the provisions of this Part in the same way the applicant’s income and capital is calculated or estimated and any reference to the “applicant” is, except where the context otherwise requires, to be construed for the purposes of this Part as if it included a reference to the applicant’s partner.
(2) Where an applicant or the partner of an applicant is polygamously married to two or more members of their household—
(a)the applicant is to be treated as possessing capital and income belonging to each of those members; and
(b)the income and capital of each of those members is to be calculated in accordance with the provisions of this Part as if the member was the applicant.
(3) The income and capital of a child or young person is not to be treated as the income and capital of the applicant.
25.—(1) Where it appears to the relevant authority that a non-dependant and the applicant have entered into arrangements in order to take advantage of the council tax reduction scheme set out in these Regulations and the non-dependant has more capital and income than the applicant, the authority must, except where the applicant is on income support, an income-based jobseeker’s allowance or an income-related employment and support allowance, treat the applicant as possessing the capital and income of the non-dependant and must disregard any capital and income which the applicant does possess.
(2) Where an applicant is treated as possessing the capital and income of a non-dependant under paragraph (1) the capital and income of that non-dependant is to be calculated or estimated in accordance with the provisions of this Part as if it was the capital and income of the applicant and any reference to the “applicant” is, except where the context otherwise requires, to be construed for the purposes of this Part as if it were a reference to that non-dependant.