Council Tax-Is this right?

Iconic

I am a single person and get a 25% rebate on my council tax because I live alone.

I am going abroad for a year so asked the council if I would still have to pay council tax.

They said that as the property would be unoccupied the 25% single persons rebate is withdrawn.

However I would be entitled to a 10% reduction of the FULL COUNCIL TAX!

Therefore I would be paying more CT for not living in the property.

It's madness.

Surely it shouldn't pay to be dishonest.

poppysarah

Your empty home is more likely to be burgled which would eat into the police budget that your council tax goes for.

JimmyTheWig

There used to be a 50% reduction for empty properties. But this was deemed a tax relief for the rich who had more than one home. So they cut it to 10%.
Unless you know anyone who can move in then I think you'll have to pay it.

Running_Horse

You could rent it out, then the occupant would pay it for you. I wouldn't want to live next door to an empty house for a year, and I wouldn't want mine to be empty. Empty houses attract all sorts of problems, which is why councils don't like them.

welshy_2002

Why is your house going to be sat empty and not earning you any money?

What would happen if it's broken into or a pipe bursts and floods the house?

If you do not want to rent it out properly, get a friend to move in. I'd jump at the chance to live in a properly, rent free. just get them to cover all bills

RabbitMad

It shouldn't pay to be dishonest but depending upon why you are going abroad and whether you are planning to return home could alter whether you still live at the property.

Of course you could pay your council tax by DD and not go abroad ;-)

Or prehaps just forget to tell them when you are off.

Have you told your insurance company that you're off? you might find you need specialist insurance

Iconic

The question was a little hypothetical but it just proves how stupid our tax and benefit system is.

If I do decide to go abroad I will certainly take the advice given here.

JimmyTheWig

RabbitMad wrote: »

Of course you could pay your council tax by DD and not go abroad ;-)

Iconic wrote: »

If I do decide to go abroad...

Hmmm...

mchale

Check again with council, as in some areas if property is vacant with no furniture in it, you get a full exemption

(and I am lead to believe they do not have resources to check if property is unfurnished)

CIS

I am a single person and get a 25% rebate on my council tax because I live alone.

I am going abroad for a year so asked the council if I would still have to pay council tax.

If you are going abroad for a year and you areintending to retun to the property then you can keep your 25% discount.

The 'Intention to return' to the property means that you will keep the property as your 'sole or main residence' and because of that you are deemed to remain resident and retain your single person discount.

A 10% discount which your council offers on a furnished property relies on it not being a person's sole or main residence.