Bought a house but not moved in yet, need to pay council tax?

river_kwai

Hi, I am suppose to complete on Tuesday 8th Nov, but as the house needs some work, I will not be moving in until end of the month. I will continue to pay council tax for the current property until end of the month. My question is that when do I have to start to pay for the council tax for the new property, is it the day that I move in and not the day of completion, right???

Matt83UK_2

Not entirely sure, I think it will be on the date you occupy it, if it is not furnished, where as if it is furnished I think you pay straight away.

I moved out of my flat 1 week before tenacny end, council said had it been furnished I would have had to pay for that week too.

Lemoncurd

You will only have to pay from the date you move in unless it is furnished. We've had overlap with two properties a few times and just phone the council with the dates we are moving in/out and they have all been very straightforward.

Doozergirl

I don't think this is strictly true. You are liable to pay Council Tax on any property you own from the date you complete.

BUT if you are refurbing, you don't have to pay for 6 months that the house is empty, after which you pay 50%. Thing is, the 6 month period covers the previous owner too. Contact the council and explain that you are refurbishing and it should be fairly straightforward. Fingers crossed it hasn't been empty too long and you don't have to pay until you move in.

Congrats on getting the house, by the way!

jalowes2002

I am in the same situation and recently got a council tax bill through on the unfurnished property which is having some work done. I contacted the local council and they asked me to email the correct department about what work I was having done etc and predicted move date. We wont be moving in until atleast April, and to my amazement they have said we don't have to pay a thing until the begining of April-good result, was expecting to pay at least half!Worth gwtting in touch with them but you will have to put it in writing.

morwenna_macro

I got an exemption for the period that the house was unoccupied and unfurnished. I also got an exemption from water rates for that period. There is also a specific exemption for properties undergoing works for up to 6 months.

billybob_2

An unfurnished property is exempt from council tax for 6 months from the date it originally became vacant, irrespective of a change in owner/tenant. So long as you have only carpets/curtains/fixtures the property will be classed as unfurnished. Ring your council first to see if the previous owner/tenant has 'used up' any of the exemption period. After an unfurnished property has been vacant 6 months then a 50% tax is charged until you move in.

If the empty property is furnished then a 50% charge is payable from the start. Have a feeling some councils can charge more then the 50% (I'm a few years out of touch) but I can find out for you if need be.

mac123

billybob wrote:

If the empty property is furnished then a 50% charge is payable from the start. Have a feeling some councils can charge more then the 50% (I'm a few years out of touch) but I can find out for you if need be.

Not necessarily - My London borough now only offer a Code 06 (10 % discount) for an empty but furnished property for an unlimited period of time. Since April 2004, the Gov't gave individual councils the power to choose between 50-10%

Other posters are correct in the it's an exemption for 6 months then 50% discount as long as the prev owner hasn't already had it

BTW, I've had 8 years experience working in this boring field so if anyone has any specific queries, PM me the dets and I'll be happy to help

garysletters

As has been said previously, if the property is unfurnished, you have 6 months full exemption (including the previous owners exempt time). If it will be undergoing MAJOR renovation or structural work you have 12 months.
Councils can chose to charge anywhere from 50-90% after this time, or if the property is furnished.

If you dont agree with the decision you are given, appeal.....I did and won!

(If you are a couple, and the council charges 90% for it being furnished, or the 6 months expire, it would be cheaper to register yourself (only) as living there and your partner (only) at your other house. This way you would only pay 75% at both properties!!! Just a thought!)

star1_2

Rules concerning council tax all changed about 2 years ago - when local authorities were given the right to set their own rules concerning discounts and what they charge. (Prior to this date discounts were stardard accross the UK).

For example previously there were substancial discounts for "second properties" virtually all districts in the West Country have now revoked these for second home owners.

Therefore - everyones opninions are valid here for their own region - but you will need to specifically check with your LA valuation officer to see what you are entitiled to. (Some still retain the 'standard' forumulars that existed previously).

Concerning my own experience and obtaining a discount - I was in a London Borough that gave me a 100% reduction for almost 18 months - but this was over 4 years ago - while my home was un-inhabitable (due to vandalism), as there was no hot water, or safe electrical system - the valuation officer said they would not charge. I'm not so sure they would be that generous in todays "pressing finanicial climate for LA's).