Proof for council tax exemption - what is needed?

ellie101

Hello,

Hoping this is in the right section...

I'm applying for council tax exemption on a property. It's currently cleared of furniture and all belongings, and it's also had a burst pipe over Christmas, that affected several rooms. The water damage is taking weeks to clear, though I'm not sure if it's classed as major works.

Spoke to a woman today, at the council tax office, they are about to send me the forms to deal with it, and said they'll call me to discuss. She didn't know for definite what proof is needed to get the exemption.

She advised me that I should say the property is having works done on it, so I could get an exemption on that (if classed as major) and then go for the 6 mths exemption on an empty property.

She wasn't sure what proof I'd need. Has anyone done this? Do you need photographs of all the work if I want to claim for it being uninhabitable? And then photographs of all empty rooms if I go for empty property discount? I'm sure I was told that before.

Wouldn't be a big deal but I'm in a different city, and I have one set of keys with the builder, I need to pre-arrange and take time off around job-hunting. But if I do need photographic proof was going to go sooner rather than later, in case of issues with back-dating (one council rep said I couldn't back-date, but the woman I spoke to did backdate).

I don't want to wait for them to send me details/call to discuss as couple of times in the past I've had issues with council tax, so want to get it done asap.

If anyone knows that would be great.

CIS

The Class A exemption is for major/structual repairs - the regulations are quite loosely worded but I'd be surprised if they'll grant with regards to a burst pipe unless the damage was major. Most councils will want to send an inspector out to check the property.

Photographic proof is not generally accepted (the photos could be of aany property) but a letter from your builder confirming the works undertaken and proof of works( receipts etc) will be taken by most authorities who dont want to send out an inspector.

The 6 month exemption as part of a Class A exemption is also time limited in that the period taken for the works + any of the 6 month period following cannot exceed 12 months in total.

There is a 6 month Class C exemption for an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property which is an option if the works dont meet the requirements for a Class A exemption.

ellie101

Thank you, that's really useful.

I know roughly what to expect now, cheers.