Living abroad for 6 months/house empty - do i pay council tax?

evosy1978

Hello.

Im thinking of living abroad for 6 months. Ive heard there may be a possiblity of me not having to pay council tax if my house is empty of all its furniture?

Is this true and if so how would they check your house?

Thanks

CIS

No - the property will remain your 'sole or main residence' and you will remain liable for council tax as usual as you still classed as being resident.

evosy1978

It says on the advice guide website that provided the property is vacant and empty up to 6 months is tax exempt provided the property is substantially unfurnished, (although 6 weeks occupation is allowed)?

any thoughts and also how would they check this.

thanks

weanie

I think they might regard it as your main residence and charge you C tax despite this. I also think that is you rented the house out regularly and then for some reason it became empty, they would allow you the empty and discounted period.

missile

evosy1978 wrote: »

It says on the advice guide website that provided the property is vacant and empty up to 6 months is tax exempt provided the property is substantially unfurnished, (although 6 weeks occupation is allowed)?

any thoughts and also how would they check this.

thanks

I was able to get exemption from council tax whilst my home was unfurnished. They find out when a neighbour reports you or they send someone to check. My council have a person(s) employed to go round checking for people who make false declarations.

CIS

It says on the advice guide website that provided the property is vacant and empty up to 6 months is tax exempt provided the property is substantially unfurnished, (although 6 weeks occupation is allowed)?

any thoughts and also how would they check this.

The advice guide site is lacking in places (Ive read it as an experienced council tax worker and some of the advice is on the right track but too general in many areas)

The Class C exemption cannot be awarded on any property which is occupied. Because the property remains your 'sole or main residence' during the period you are abroad it is occupied and a Class C exemption cannot be awarded.

evosy1978

thanks so far,

I went to the tax office today and they said as long as I tell them the full address of where ill be living and that I have a doctor/address for where Ill be living, then just to let them know before we go?

does this sound right?

thanks

CIS

I went to the tax office today and they said as long as I tell them the full address of where ill be living and that I have a doctor/address for where Ill be living, then just to let them know before we go?

They've advised you wrongly. Your intention to return to the property will ensure the property remains your 'sole or main residence'. There has been quite a bit of case law covering these sort of cases.

asset2004

If the proerty is empty and unfurnished then you may be able to claim for up to 6 months free council tax.
HTH

CIS

If the proerty is empty and unfurnished then you may be able to claim for up to 6 months free council tax.
HTH

Only if its unoccupied - temporary absences (can be several years in length) do not make the property unoccupied.