First time buyer - advice needed if possible

papermoney

geoffky wrote: »

rubbish... you have 6 months if decorating or 12 months if doing major work...it might be different with some councils...i bought in march and moved in in aug and never paid a penny council tax until 1st sept

This is not true in my cpuncil area. I have recently bought a repo, it needed re wiring, had bathrooms ripped out due to mould, rotten floorboards, no heating amongst other things. I had to fill forms in, take photos of everything, describe each photo and what what was happening - they still want more evidence and have given me until Feb (as this will be when the 6 month being empty clause is up - even though I didnt buy the house until mid Dec)
I think you might find that councils vary on this.

papermoney

McCreary wrote: »

Thanks to all for your help and advice. I am hoping to complete this Friday (21st January) but still relatively clueless on what to do!

In regards to utilities, primarily gas and electricity... can I ring up British Gas (who currently supply the gas and electricity) and ask them to cancel the account or would you advise staying with them for a couple of months on a standard tariff? If I stayed with them would I be committed to them for a contract period of 12 months for example or can you get rolling contracts?

You would have to stay with them for a start, but can change to any supplier (it normally takes 28 days) - this is going by my own experience.

flora48

My LA says that major works re bathroom and kitchen only count for CT exemption if there were not these facilities in the property previously.
I also understand it also depends how much of an allowable exemption has already been applied to the property, maybe before your ownwership. Maybe CIS could comment please?

McCreary

Thanks for all your help! Contracts were exchanged this afternoon so going for completion tomorrow! I'll ring British Gas up and transfer them into my name.

What do I do about council tax? How will I know if it has already been paid for this month? Obviously I am going to try to get a break but wouldn't want to get into trouble in the meantime.

Thanks again :-)

McCreary

Well I actually completed yesterday!

Managed to transfer the gas/electricity into my name with British Gas and onto a 'pay for what you use tariff', which is perfect for me as I'm going to be renovating for about six months and a projected estimate would have meant I would be paying a lot more! I'll look into transferring when I'm ready to move in!

Thanks again for all your help!

McCreary

I'm making progress! Gas, electricity and water seem to be set up now.

Spoke to my local council and they said that the previous owners had already used the 'six months free' for it being unoccupied but they have said that I will only be charged 50% council tax until the time it is full refurbished, furnished and I have moved in.