Council Tax whilst living on Base

eddiejohnston

I dont know if anyone can help but i'm currently serving in the RN and living in SLA i also own my own property over 400 miles from my base. Im receiving 25% discount on my council tax for being the sole occupier of the house, but after reading various posts i feel i should be recieving 50% discount as the property is unoccupied. After speaking to my local council they say i should actually be paying more for not living in it than if i was living there and only want to give me 10% discount. Baffling I know. I hope some one can shine some light on this or point me in the right direction of where it might be published that i should receive 50% discount.

Any comments/guidance would be much appreciated

Thank you.

MrsTinks

As far as I know you can only recieve the 50% unoccupied discount for a short period of time... Many years ago I owned a house with my partner and whilst we were doing it up we applied for 50% discount due to not living there - bowever it was for a set time and it was quite short from what I recall...
Found this on the Reading council website - not sure if it's government policy though: http://www.reading.gov.uk/adviceandemergencies/counciltax/General.asp?id=SX9452-A77FE0A7

As our house was unoccupiable and undergoing major construction then we got 12 months at 50% - not quite sure which section your property might fall under? I guess if it's unfurnished you might fall under section C - this would be applicable for 6 months.
Have you checked the website for the DC where your property is?

MoneyHoney

Here some info that may be of use:

Council Tax on Second Homes

Service families living in MOD housing in England, Scotland and Wales and paying council tax on their own properties in England and Scotland should automatically receive a 50% reduction in council tax on their own property (if it is not rented out). A number of service families are concerned that they now have to pay 90% of council tax on their second homes, instead of the 50% as set down in legislation under the Statutory Instruments (downloadable from the links given below). Families having problems obtaining this discount should show their local authority the Statutory Instruments, and if still unsuccessful should contact the AFF Housing Specialist
Here's the link:
http://www.aff.org.uk/housing.htm#tax

The only area where a normally available discount can't be applied is that of Council Tax reduction for students. Frustratingly, forces can't claim this :rolleyes: (unless there's someone out there knows any different ??)

bumblebeebaby

you only get money off for an unoccupied property if it is unfurnished for 6 months, cant remember what discount i got now tho. As for the 50% off for second homes the OP said he lived in SLA so doesnt qualify.

MoneyHoney

bumblebeebaby wrote: »

you only get 50% off for an unoccupied property if it is unfurnished for 6 months, this is what i got. As for the 50% off for second homes the OP said he lived in SLA so doesnt qualify.

Like I said, the link provided "may be of use". Would SLA not count as 'first home', I'm guessing op is paying ciloct?

bumblebeebaby

sla is single living accommodation, not sfa service families accommodation

bumblebeebaby

and CILOCT in SLA is about £2.50 a month.

MoneyHoney

Yes, I know (SLA/ single living accommodation)but would that not count as 'first home' if op is paying accommodation charges etc?

bumblebeebaby

no i wouldnt think so, much as its accn its not a MOD house, which is the only entitlement for this discount.