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Council Tax continuing problem

It is ongoing and simply doesn't get resolved.

The situation is that I moved out of my flat in Feb last year and from 1 March to 1 September it was empty. The council gave me a 6 months council tax holiday for that period. I am paying council tax from 1st March at my new address.

The property was taken over under voluntary repossession on 10th November. The council are claiming the full tax from 1st September to 10th November saying that that is how it is. It was still empty.

National debtline, and CAB are saying that it is 50% as the tax is spilt 50% for the person and 50% for the premises. I have therefore paid 50% of what the council are charging me and they are refusing to listen, saying that the next 50% is due still.

Beginning to get a bit nasty, and I am almost tempted just to try and pay because I can't stand the hassle any more - this is the dragging ends of bankruptcy (June 11th 2008). The amount involved is £203 which is the 100% of which I've paid £102 which is 50%

But my family are saying fight it.

After all, I haven't got £100 hanging about doing nothing.

What do you say?
Bankrupt 11th June 2008
Automatic Discharge 11th June 2009

Comments

  • skylight
    skylight Posts: 10,716 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Home Insurance Hacker!
    The way I understand it, is that councils offer a 6month leeway for empty properties which was applied to your account. As the property was not repossessed until 10th November, you are liable for the full amount for that period. I have no idea, and have never heard about, a 50% split? Were you single? The council has applied the 25% single person discount? That could reduce it a bit.

    I would say you are liable for the other £102 (unless you can get 25% discount off the full amount owed) and then ask for several months to pay it.

    But would love to hear other opinions about the 50% split??
  • As far as I'm aware, if a house is empty of residents and furniture you are entitle to a 100% discount for 6 months and then you pay 50% for 6 months. That is what happened to me when I had a house. It was being repossessed by NR but my tenants had left the house 2/3 months prior to NR repossessing. I was exempt from CT for those 3 months because the house was empty of people and furniture, if there's furniture in it the exemption is still reduced but you will have to pay some CT.
  • Toni23
    Toni23 Posts: 55 Forumite
    Hi

    The 50% exemption will only apply for the period the Council allows, in your case 6 months. After that they are entitled to charge 50% of the amounts which fall due each month. Unfortunately if you are a single person you will not have an additional 25% discount, it will simply be 50%.

    Might be best to speak with the Council concerned if you are experiencing some difficulties.

    Good Luck!
  • All councils are different on this, I come accross it alot working in lettings, we work with two councils, one offers 6 months with 100% reduction then you are charged at 50% for the period its empty,

    The other council offers 100% for 6 months. After 6 months you have to pay 100% no reduction. I had called them the first bill I saw and was told it was a change in policy. They are after as much as they can get out of people. After all who will pay for the bubbly at the meetings? must also add that council ran out of salt last night... snowed in today. erm. no work though.
  • Thanks.

    I have had the 6 months free but am being charged 100% for the 2 months before repossession. The property was empty of all furniture and possessions and no-one was living there.

    I have queried again and again with them, and their answer is always the same.

    I take the point though that different councils have different regulations - but don't understand how they are allowed to do that?
    Bankrupt 11th June 2008
    Automatic Discharge 11th June 2009
  • Hi, My sister died October 2007 And probate was granted 11th Jan. 2008 Her bungalow has taken over a year to sell since then Contracts were exchanged on 15th January 2009, and now the Thanet District Council want me to pay the four-day difference, at full rate, for an empty property. If there had been a dozen young students living there, it would have been 'zilch'. The council does not tell you on their website anything about how the exemptions are made and they are insistent that the full rate must be paid, despite nobody living there. There must be umpteen others in the same situation - and the councils have got a virtual 'licence to print money' !!
  • Thanks Brian. I will write to them and ask them where all these regulations can be found. I find it difficult to believe that debt charities are giving me totally incorrect information.

    Yes, it is crazy to ask for the 4 day difference. What is particularly odd is that they have allowed a full 12 months exemption.
    Bankrupt 11th June 2008
    Automatic Discharge 11th June 2009
  • Hi all Yes the councils seem a lot more interested in chasing people for council tax than keeping the roads clear so you can get to work to make money to pay them!!!! Sorry quick rant. We went br in August 2008 gave the keys back to mortgagee and it was duly "officially" repossessed in November 2008. As far as I was concerned the house was empty and we were paying council tax on the rented property we moved to. Got a bill last week for £75 which I am loath to pay. Going to fight it as I don't see how they can ask for it when they offer a 6 month holiday and it was only covering the period August to November. Will let you know how I get on. They asked for all sorts of proof that we were br and details about house etc that I didn't have so gave them br ref numbers and told them to write to OR
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