Is a house exempt from CT while a landlord is searching for a tennant?

LondonDiva

My friend has moved to Wales because of a new job and will be renting out her flat to an overseas tennant who moves in 1 October for a year.

Quick question, will she have to pay the Council tax while the property is empty? She left London in June.

Thanks:)

CIS

If its unoccupied and substantially unfurnished then no, otherwise yes. (there are exemptions which may apply if you renovating the property etc).

poppysarah

There's an exemption period - she will need to claim for it.

mchale

Depends on LA criteria, in lpool you get a 50% discount if property is vacant, and 100% discount if property is vacant and empty of furniture, (although I have not heard of them checking to see if the property is empty) best ring LA to check

CIS

Depends on LA criteria, in lpool you get a 50% discount if property is vacant, and 100% discount if property is vacant and empty of furniture, (although I have not heard of them checking to see if the property is empty) best ring LA to check
Last edited by mchale; Today at 8:38 AM.

For an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property a 100% exmeption (Class C exemption) is set in legisaltion and can be claimed for a maximum of 6 months.

The discount for an unoccupied and unfurnished property can be set at between 0% and 50% whereas the discount for an unoccupied and furnished property can be set at between 50% and 10%.