Love Island winner Toni Laites baffled over HUGE council tax bill after moving from America to the UK and battling ‘homelessness’ and visa struggles

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Toni Laites, known from Love Island, is confused by a surprisingly high council tax bill. She recently moved to the UK from America and has been dealing with both council tax issues and the challenge of finding a home.

The show’s first American winner, who is 25 years old, admitted it’s been challenging to adjust to life after appearing on the ITV2 show. She’s been moving between the UK and US, staying in temporary rentals and essentially living out of a suitcase.

Last week, she declared her long struggle finished, having finally obtained a visa and found a new apartment. She made the announcement while celebrating with champagne in her new home.

A funny TikTok video of Toni reacting to a £1,200 council tax bill has gone viral, earning over two million views. In the clip, she jokingly complains about the cost.

Holding a letter, dressed in a cropped hoodie and sweatpants, she exclaimed, ‘Honestly, it feels like this country invents charges just to get money from you – what even is council tax?’

‘Who is the council and why are they charging me 1200 pounds? That’s like 1500 US dollars.

Seriously? I just arrived five days ago, and you’re already trying to tax me? I didn’t even have time to get comfortable.

The video quickly became popular online, making people laugh as they playfully welcomed the person to the UK and commented on how expensive things are in Britain.

Islander Yasmin Pettet playfully commented, ‘Don’t forget about a breathing tax!’ Runner-up Shakira Khan responded with laughing emojis to the video.

Another said: ‘We are the most taxed country in the world. Welcome to the UK.

A fifth said: ‘Girl be prepared for bin taxes,’ while one also warned her about a TV license.

Following her revelation that becoming famous in the UK feels both strange and difficult, Toni has been living in temporary housing since the show finished.

The woman, who used to work as a cabana waitress in Las Vegas, explained that she’s been struggling to find stable housing, staying on friends’ couches and having moved between at least seven different Airbnb rentals so far.

It’s been difficult constantly traveling without a settled base, and the lack of a visa has prevented me from working or creating the content you’re hoping for. I’m working on resolving these issues and getting back on track.

She said she never imagined that a simple waitressing job in Las Vegas would lead to appearing on—and ultimately winning—one of the UK’s most popular reality TV shows, especially as the first American contestant to do so.

‘I am so grateful that you guys have put in the position that I am, but it hasn’t been easy.’

Toni found love with 24-year-old Cach Mercer from East London while on this year’s Love Island, and together they won the £50,000 prize.

I was so thrilled when I saw that her visa finally came through last week! She immediately celebrated by posting some amazing photos on Instagram – she posed right in front of those classic London red phone booths, and they looked fantastic!

She turned heads in a white tank top paired with a sparkly, short Union Jack skirt, a look reminiscent of Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell’s iconic outfit.

Toni wrote in the caption: ‘Mood because my Visa was approved.

The past couple of months have been incredibly stressful, but I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received.

I want to give a huge thank you to Cach for being such a supportive and steady presence in my life, especially when things have been chaotic. I truly cherish spending every day with them – they’re the best!

‘Thank you for loving me for who I am & keeping me (somewhat) sane.’

She also thanks her management and lawyers. 

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2025-10-29 19:41