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Council tax (and water etc) for an empty property

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Ms_Piggy_2
Ms_Piggy_2 Posts: 357 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Does anyone know if I can claim back Council Tax on a property that is empty?

My (only) house is empty - I have moved in with OH and am selling mine. It's been empty for approx 6 months. I've now been told by a friend that I would have been exempt from paying the Council tax. Is this right and could I claim it back?

And ditto water rates.

TIA

Comments

  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 46,960 Ambassador
    Academoney Grad Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary
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    you can claim for council tax on empty properties for upto 6 months in any year.

    Don't think you can claim for water rates, though if you install a meter you won't be using any water!
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  • Ms_Piggy_2
    Ms_Piggy_2 Posts: 357 Forumite
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    Thanks

    I'll write a letter asking for a refund! :o)
  • real1314
    real1314 Posts: 4,432 Forumite
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    water rates too afaik, unnoccupied and unfurmished is the way to go for CT and water rates.

    nil bill. for both.
  • Norroy
    Norroy Posts: 113 Forumite
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    You would be exempt on both counts, C tax for up to six months and water indefinitely.

    However niether may like the fact that you are telling them after the event. The theory being that if you tell them before, then at least they have the opportunity of doing a routine visit to the property, to confirm that it is empty.

    So if I were you, I would ring up the council, explain the situation and offer to send them gas/electric bills for the relevant period, showing zero or very low useage to back up your case.
  • scrummy_mummy_2
    scrummy_mummy_2 Posts: 386 Forumite
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    Check your insurances too...if a property is left unoccupied for more than 30 days continuously, they may (probably will be) become invalid.
    The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself. (Oscar Wilde);)
  • Ms_Piggy_2
    Ms_Piggy_2 Posts: 357 Forumite
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    Thanks - the property is empty so there is only buildings insurnace anyway. It was let previously and the cover notice states it may be empty for periods of time as long as it's visited/inspected regularly etc.

    Have writen to CT people.....
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