Council Tax

Wingman

If a house is vacant (pending housesale) do you still have to pay council tax on it?

Thanks

Jamz

no you can't...

silvercar

If the house is empty you can claim exemption for 6 months; it does have to be empty as well as vacant. There is a max of 6 months in any year that you can claim for. Very easy to arrange, just phone the council and ask for the council tax debt. They may inspect the property to check if its empt, either initially or after a few months.

livinginhope

If the house is habitable ie cooking/washing facilities,then yes you are liable for council tax although you will probably get a reduction if you are not living there.This was the info given to us from the local council.

Wingman

silvercar wrote:

If the house is empty you can claim exemption for 6 months; it does have to be empty as well as vacant. There is a max of 6 months in any year that you can claim for. Very easy to arrange, just phone the council and ask for the council tax debt. They may inspect the property to check if its empt, either initially or after a few months.

Ahh, so I have to move my furniture out? I was hoping that proving disconnection of services may be proof enough?

I have nowhere to store my furniture

jamie304

There are a large number of possible exemptions for unoccupied properties, they are listed on most council's websites e.g. https://www.bristol-city.gov.uk/redirect/?oid=Category-id-56113

KayEdwards

Wingman, Does the house have a garage? If not surely stacked furniture in say one room ie obviously stored and not being used, might be enough for the council to be satisfied that no-one is staying there.
Good luck
Kay

Wingman

Thanks Kay, yes it does have a garage, I will ring them tomorrow and see if thats acceptable

Maisie

Wingman wrote:

If a house is vacant (pending housesale) do you still have to pay council tax on it?

Thanks

Have a look at Martin's insert. 'Council tax are you paying over the odds?' on front page. There's lots of info there about paying council tax.