vol repossesion and council tax

poppy2323

Can anyone help me with a quick answer. Doing a vol repossesion today and moving into rented accom I have called council tax today (all up to date) to advise them that moving and they asked me if we had sold as I was not expecting this I blurted yes but they wanted new owner details solicitors etc!!

What do I need to do can I just tell them the truth, I take it we are not responsible for the tax from today and the new year payments would not start til 1st April anyway.

Thought I just gave old and new address and thats it..what do I need to do? has anyone expereienced this? the property we are vacating will be empty
Thanks
x

eklynne

I may be wrong but I don't think it's your duty to inform them of the new owner details, even if there were new owners.

poppy2323

Does that mean I dont do anything?
Im sure the letting agency will tell them re the new property but do i just tell them we are off from here and thats it??
Thanks
x

eklynne

I wouldn't do anything. Your account is up to date and that address has nothing to do with you anymore. Let the council deal with it, I'm sure you have enough on your plate.

peachyprice

You should get 6 months free for the house being unoccupied, if the house hasn't been sold by the mortgage co. by then you will be liable for council tax again until it does sell.

It is very important they know the house is empty otherwise you will be liable for all the council tax until the house is sold, it is still your responsibility until then, even if you're not living there.

If you do nothing you could end up with a nasty bill, and you would only be able to include C/Tax up to your BR date in your BR, anything after that you would have to pay.

eklynne

Even if it's repossessed?

LilyBart

After it's repossessed, the lender becomes responsible for any council tax.

peachyprice

Until it's legally repossessed. But that can take up to a year, it won't happen as soon as you move out, especially if you refuse to sign the Deed of Acknowledgement.

eklynne

Hmm, so will the mortgage company keep in contact with you after repo? Sorry for all the questions but I will be repossessed soon and this is all news to me that the CAB did NOT tell me about.

eklynne

LilyBart wrote: »

After it's repossessed, the lender becomes responsible for any council tax.

yes, this is what the CAB told me.

peachyprice

It depends how they handle it. They don't need to formally reposses it if you go for voluntary repo, it can stay in your name until they sell it, after which they will write to tell you of any shortfall. So in the meantime you are still liable for c/tax etc.

Even if you vol repo it can take them an awful long time to actually formally reposses, quite often longer than the 6 months free c/tax you get. It doesn't happen quickly just because you move out.

They are not great at communicating and tend to leave you in the dark most of the time.