Rates help

midsomer99

I bought a house and have been unable to move due to a variety of reasons including the state it was left in. I have not moved in, and explained my situation to the rates people last year. However, I have now received a letter to say that they have compared records with other organisations and believe it is occupied. I have put light timers on for security in the dark months, and also was advised by friends to put the heat on for a couple of hours a day to stop the house going mouldy, but I'm still living with my parents. I can't find much info on the net about my rights can anyone advise?

cheqmate06

Ring them to update their records.
If the property is not furnished or occupied, NO rates are payable!!

Choco

They will check with NIE etc to see what electricity is been used. Do you use this address for elctoral roll cause if so and your not living in property get this changed ASAP

cheqmate06

They can't check with NIE as they're not able under the Data Protection Act. They probably carried out an inspection through your local council.

wifeforlife

They can check with NIE as they have data sharing legislation in place, although you can send them your NIE bills as proof you have not been living there.

The staff are well able to determine the usage for security and that of someone residing in the property. Alternatively you'll have to prove you have not got it furnished, they do count minimal furniture enough to rate on.

Goodluck, I hope you get it sorted

Choco

I agree with Cathy 2702 I am ex Social Security Agency(SSA) staff and they SSA can check with banks etc regarding balances. Nothing is secret any more............ NIE & RCA used to be able to arrange for arrears payments to be made out of customers benefits so that they got their money.

midsomer99

The letter they sent said that they had checked utility records and deemed the house occupied. They must have an extremely low threshold for deeming occupancy as the electricity and gas have only been metered to stop the house going mouldy over the winter, and timed lights to deter breakins. Plus since I'm never there to top up the meters, they had regularly run out.
FYI - CAB say that even if there is only 1 chair in a house the rates people consider it furnished.
I wouldn't mind but I contacted them about the house last year and was never told there was a problem with my situation. :mad:

Thanks all for your comments

Artofdookie

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10445657.stm

The NI finance minister has confirmed that empty homes will be liable to the same rates as occupied homes from October 2011.
The move, which could raise £10m revenue a year, has the support of all parties on the Executive.
Sammy Wilson had delayed the scheme, which was first planned for April 2010, saying it would have been "unfair" due to the state of the housing market.
But Mr Wilson said the market is "beginning to move again".
He said the measure would provide additional resources for key public services at a time when the public finances are facing deep cuts.
"It should also not be forgotten that empty homes demand public services too," he added.
Exemption "I believe it is right that those holding empty homes should contribute towards the public purse, reducing the burden on other ratepayers, as well as encouraging homes to be lived in."
Mr Wilson said that in order to protect the building industry, "particularly those involved in speculative house building" he would include a rates exemption for builders sitting on unsold stock.
He said that unsold houses already built, and those that are completed in the next financial year, would be exempt from rates for 18 months.
In subsequent years new unsold houses will get a 12 month exemption.
Mr Wilson added that he appreciated those that own empty homes will be facing bills for the first time, and he is giving them time to prepare by not introducing the measure until late next year.
There are around 20,000 empty homes in Northern Ireland.