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council tax question: moving rented to own house

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calltobala
calltobala Posts: 53 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
Hello
In 1 month time, moving from rented house to Own house.
I am taking 20 days to move in and leave own house empty for those 20 days and will be living in rented house ( due to calendar month notice).


Do I need to pay council tax for both Own house and rented house when I need time to move to my own house? ( both are same council area)

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  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    You need to inform the council of the date you take ownership and become liable for CT.

    Your council may allow a discount for an empty property - check their website as this varies.

    You will remain liable for your rented property CT till you vacate (and possibly beyond if you vacate before your fixed term tenancy ends).
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    calltobala wrote: »
    Hello
    In 1 month time, moving from rented house to Own house.
    I am taking 20 days to move in and leave own house empty for those 20 days and will be living in rented house ( due to calendar month notice).


    Do I need to pay council tax for both Own house and rented house when I need time to move to my own house? ( both are same council area)

    Assuming your in England or Wales.

    You are liable for council tax on both properties (as long as you remain resident in the rented house).

    You may be able to claim a council tax discount on the unoccupied property but the amount is dependent on the local authority.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • buggy_boy
    buggy_boy Posts: 657 Forumite
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    A lot of councils used to give a few months free if the property is empty, however I dont think any councils do this any more. You will be liable for the council tax on your rented property until the end of the tenancy and you will be liable for the council tax on your property you are buying from the date you complete.

    Have a look at your councils website... There is often a discount for single occupancy so it may be financially beneficial for the period you are liable for both properties for your partner to move into the new property and you to stay in the current property so you get single person discount on both for the period. Don't see anything wrong with this but check with your council as the might say there can only be one marital home although think they might be on dodgy ground as you could have a blazing row for 20 days and your partner move our and then you get back together. Don't try to be too clever or do anything illegal as not worth it but as long as you stay within your councils rules you could do something that is tax efficient.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    One occupier moving in to the new property and one staying put in the old property is perfectly legal as long as the person who moves takes on the new property as their 'sole or main residence' and they have no 'intention to return' to the old property.

    The 25% discount is statutory, the council have no option but to grant it where it applies. Unlike the Class C discount (unoccupied and unfurnished) for which the council can set the rate they have no delegated discretion over the 25% discount.

    Whether the OP remains liable for the council tax charge on the rented property depends on whether they remain resident to the end of the tenancy or not. If all of the occupiers leave before the end of the tenancy then the OP may cease being liable for the council tax charge before the end of the tenancy - it depends on the status of the tenancy.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Fosterdog
    Fosterdog Posts: 4,948 Forumite
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    When we bought and moved from rented our new place was empty for 6 weeks while we carried out some work and refurbishment, our council didn't charge us any CT on the new house until the date we moved in and our liability on the rental ended on the same date.
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