counil tax and bailiffs

videoking

i sold my shop i october 2007 to pay of my debts it was a shop with empty premises above ive owned it since 2001 but a few months ago the bailifs come round for rates from the 1st of april 2005 to the 17th oct 2007 after contacting the council they agreed to give me time to proof my case . i couldnt proof anything because i only used the shop and never paid any bills for upstairs but i had proof that i lived in my home address from 2001 .but after contacting them i ended up with 3 bills 1 for 804.27 from the 18th dec 2001- 17-dec 2002 anther for 542.44 and one for 1780.85 i sent them bills a copy from the electroll roll and cc statements etc for my home address from 2001 surely they can not charge me the full ammount for an empty property
help needed urgent thank:eek:

lincroft1710

I believe councils have discretion to grant 50% relief on unoccupied property, but I am not certain that they are obliged to do so. You should get leaflets with council tax bills which explain council's policy. As you owned whole property then you would be liable for the council tax of upstairs part.

CIS

The empty and unfurnished property charge for council tax ,after the first 6 month exemption, can be charged at between 100% and 50% , depending on the local council.

videoking

just phoned council they say because i never informed them that it was empty i am liable for the full amount no excemptions the bailiffs r invoved so what do i do next i amself employed and currently on family tax credits and my outgoings r more than my ingoings what sould i do to negotiate with the bailiffs

lincroft1710

Videoking, this link may help www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10034289