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Council Tax on empty property

My wonderful Mum passed away in January leaving her house to my two brothers and myself. We had 6 months council tax after probate at 0% but have just received a bill for 7 months at 100% - £978!

It's been up for sale since Mum died but no offers yet (except for stupid ones!).

We knew this would be happening so not a surprise, just having a rant:D I thinks it's disgraceful, I mean what actual drain on resources is an empty property and what are we actually paying for? The council don't even empty the bins anymore.
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Comments

  • Wyndham
    Wyndham Posts: 2,516 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Have you spoken to the council? I didn't think there was a charge for empty properties...
  • Have you spoken to the council about paying monthly, rather than paying for the whole of the rest of the year in one go?
  • chipmunk
    chipmunk Posts: 529 Forumite
    Wyndham wrote: »
    Have you spoken to the council? I didn't think there was a charge for empty properties...

    Have you spoken to the council about paying monthly, rather than paying for the whole of the rest of the year in one go?

    Thanks for your replies.

    Wyndham, there didn't used to be but the councils got wise to the loss of revenue so they do now !

    Milliemoodle, thanks we are paying monthly. I was just having a rant about the amount we have to pay for nothing in return :mad:

    ETA, it's even more of a sting 'cos when Mum was alive, she only paid 75% council tax under single occupancy
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    chipmunk wrote: »
    My wonderful Mum passed away in January leaving her house to my two brothers and myself. We had 6 months council tax after probate at 0% but have just received a bill for 7 months at 100% - £978!

    It's been up for sale since Mum died but no offers yet (except for stupid ones!).

    We knew this would be happening so not a surprise, just having a rant:D I thinks it's disgraceful, I mean what actual drain on resources is an empty property and what are we actually paying for? The council don't even empty the bins anymore.

    What price is it and how silly are the offers?

    Have you considered they might not be silly offers?
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    chipmunk wrote: »
    Milliemoodle, thanks we are paying monthly. I was just having a rant about the amount we have to pay for nothing in return :mad:


    Well sell it!

    You haven't paid for the house - it's been given you because your mother has died.
  • dazeruk
    dazeruk Posts: 313 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    chipmunk wrote: »
    I thinks it's disgraceful, I mean what actual drain on resources is an empty property and what are we actually paying for?

    If the house caught fire, you'd still expect the fire brigade to attend or if it was burgled, the police to attend.
  • chipmunk
    chipmunk Posts: 529 Forumite
    It's £150,000, comparble to similar properties in the area (sought-after area) and with extra features (conservatory etc.), is in superb condition inside and out. The "stupidist" offer we had was just under £112,000. We can maintain the cost of the property for quite a while on that difference so not a tempting offer.
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    dazeruk wrote: »
    If the house caught fire, you'd still expect the fire brigade to attend or if it was burgled, the police to attend.


    I hope the OP has the appropriate insurance too.
    Empty properties cost more don't they?
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    chipmunk wrote: »
    It's £150,000, comparble to similar properties in the area (sought-after area) and with extra features (conservatory etc.), is in superb condition inside and out. The "stupidist" offer we had was just under £112,000. We can maintain the cost of the property for quite a while on that difference so not a tempting offer.

    Obviously not that much.

    Have you look at what things are selling for?

    Sellers are still way too optimistic on price.
  • chipmunk
    chipmunk Posts: 529 Forumite
    poppysarah wrote: »
    Well sell it!

    You haven't paid for the house - it's been given you because your mother has died.

    If you'd taken the time to read my original post, you would know that the property is for sale
    poppysarah wrote: »
    I hope the OP has the appropriate insurance too.
    Empty properties cost more don't they?

    Of course we have:D
    poppysarah wrote: »
    Obviously not that much.

    Have you look at what things are selling for?

    Sellers are still way too optimistic on price.


    Thanks for your comment. Have to say, your comments appear to be a tad aggressive.:(
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