Council Tax dilemma

philurry

I have recently moved in with my girlfriend and want to know about how Council Tax would work - thought I'd ask on here first before going to see them.

I'm still paying Council Tax and my property - it is on the market to be sold but as you can imagine, that's not really moving anywhere. My girlfriend is also paying Council Tax. Both of us are getting single person discount. Now the dilemma is - can I say I'm not living at the address that's on the market even though I'm still paying the mortgage on it? If that's the case, I can cancel my Council Tax and my girlfriend and I can start paying for dual occupancy.

Obviously we don't want to pay for dual occupancy if I'm still paying at my old address, even it I don't live there.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to do?

Thanks

KiKi

Hi there

When I sold my place in 2005-6, I also had an empty flat as I had already bought somewhere else and was living in the new place. At that time, I was able to declare that to the council, and have six months 'off'. I was told that after six months, I would have to start paying council tax at the single occupancy rate again - that's the maximum time for which you can declare a property empty.

I don't know if it's the same now, but just call them and ask.

KiKi

philurry

Thanks for your quick response - that's exactly what I needed to hear! Just didn't want to declare/not declare if I didn't have to in case I end up paying more - can't afford it at the moment.

N79

KiKi wrote: »

Hi there

When I sold my place in 2005-6, I also had an empty flat as I had already bought somewhere else and was living in the new place. At that time, I was able to declare that to the council, and have six months 'off'. I was told that after six months, I would have to start paying council tax at the single occupancy rate again - that's the maximum time for which you can declare a property empty.

I don't know if it's the same now, but just call them and ask.

KiKi

Kiki is right - you are entitled to a 6 month council tax exemption for property which is empty pending sale or let. However, the definition of empty includes the property being unfurnished. If it is not unfurnished then you can not have the exemption.

mlz1413

As council tax is on the property plus occupancy levels you will have to pay council tax on your property regardless of where you live, unless you can use the 6 months free period - but this period is only available once on your ownership (it's not 6 months every year).

As most councils do not charge you in Feb and March, due to collecting tax in over 10 payments do be careful about declaring the property empty now as the council are unlikely to refund you the 2 months already paid, they are more likely to reduce next years chargers when the 6 months are up.

I think the council have leaflets on how the council tax and its available exemptions work, so it maybe best to have a read of that before deciding what and when to change your arrangments.

Premier_2

N79 wrote: »

Kiki is right - you are entitled to a 6 month council tax exemption for property which is empty pending sale or let. However, the definition of empty includes the property being unfurnished. If it is not unfurnished then you can not have the exemption.

N79 is right, but note in the event that if the property you leave is left fully furnished, you may be able to claim a 50% reduction as the property is not the main residence of any elibigle person.
(However, the law allows for this discount to be as little as 10% - it depends on the policy of your local council what actual discount applies)

N79

Premier wrote: »

N79 is right, but note in the event that if the property you leave is left fully furnished, you may be able to claim a 50% reduction as the property is not the main residence of any elibigle person.
(However, the law allows for this discount to be as little as 10% - it depends on the policy of your local council what actual discount applies)

Quite correct but I have never dealt with a council which offers a discount of more than 10%. I continue to search in vain for one which offers more than the statutory minimum!

Premier_2

mlz1413 wrote: »

...As most councils do not charge you in Feb and March, due to collecting tax in over 10 payments do be careful about declaring the property empty now as the council are unlikely to refund you the 2 months already paid, ....

I disagree.

It is true that council tax is usually collected over 10 months - but it actually covers 12 months. If a change in circumstance occurs mid-year, you will only be charged pro-rata. If that means you have already paid, then you would be due a rebate pro-rata.

Premier_2

N79 wrote: »

Quite correct but I have never dealt with a council which offers a discount of more than 10%. I continue to search in vain for one which offers more than the statutory minimum!

Welcome to Rugby Borough Council :beer:
(to name just one)

I believe those councils that charge 90% are those most heavily affected by wealthy individuals buying holiday homes that they only occupy a few weeks of the year, leaving the place an almost ghost town for the remaider (and putting an undue burden on odd locals who do reside there) e.g. Cromer on the North Norfolk coast.

That was certainly the reason the law was amended to allow local councils to charge more if they wanted to.

I guess there's not much demand for a holiday home in Rugby though!

N79

Premier wrote: »

Welcome to Rugby Borough Council :beer:
(to name just one)

I believe those councils that charge 90% are those most heavily affected by wealthy individuals buying holiday homes that they only occupy a few weeks of the year, leaving the place an almost ghost town for the remaider (and putting an undue burden on odd locals who do reside there) e.g. Cromer on the North Norfolk coast.

That was certainly the reason the law was amended to allow local councils to charge more if they wanted to.

Yes, I can quite understand it in those cases. However, all the LAs around the areas where I have properties (South East) only offer 10% - and I really don't think these areas are second home magnets. However, it is nice to know that there is somewhere. Still mustn't grumple - 10% is better than nowt.