discounts/exemptions on empty house

drummer_666

Hi,

I am buying a house. I will most likely own the place for a month before I move in, whilst I am doing it up.

I think if I move some of my stuff in I may be entitled to a 10% discount because it's empty but furnished. 50% discount if its empty and unfurnished.

If it's the first, then I'd be better at registering with only me living there to get the 25% discount. Although after a month a lodger will be moving in, but I can change it then can't I?

What about water? As we won't be using any water (if need to can use toilet in my rented house a few streets away lol). Is it ok to not set up my water account until I move in - I'll want to transfer my account from my rented house anyway...

Gas and electric - not a problem as we will only be paying for what unit's we're using anyway

TV License - no tv will be there til move in so that's fine.

Thank you

dimbo61

Ring the council and ask them
If you are doing work on the house and its empty with no furniture then you pay no council tax.
If you already pay council tax in your rented house !!!! then they cant have you at 2 places at the same time

Tixy

Unfurnished homes that nobody is living in are exempt for up to 6months.

If its not currently lived in then you'll need to find out if the previous owner claimed any or all of those 6months.

I believe you will be responsible for paying water charges from the date you purchase the property, unless the water supply is disconnected.

drummer_666

Tixy wrote: »

Unfurnished homes that nobody is living in are exempt for up to 6months.

If its not currently lived in then you'll need to find out if the previous owner claimed any or all of those 6months.

I believe you will be responsible for paying water charges from the date you purchase the property, unless the water supply is disconnected.

ok cool. so i'll ring them when we exchange on house.

but i shouldn't have to pay any council tax or water on my house for the month that i'm still renting

Red_dog_Sam

If the property you buy is exempt you won't pay anything. As indicated above, it will be exempt for up to 6 months if it empty and unfurnished. But if it has already been empty and unfurnished for longer than that by the time you buy it, that exempt period will have ran out and you'll only get an empty discount.

If it's not exempt, even though you pay Council Tax on your rented accomodation, you will also be charged on the house you buy - as the owner of an empty property.

Then - as you say- you are likely to get a 10% reduction if furnished or 50% reduction if not until you move in.

00ec25

dimbo61 wrote: »

If you already pay council tax in your rented house !!!! then they cant have you at 2 places at the same time

if you seriously think you know what you are talking about then best you give up now before someone starts believing you

why do you think its called the "second home" rate??????????

as others have said that would get a typically a 10% discount if the unoccupied and unfurnished exemption has been used up and so cannot be claimed instead

Werdnal

I agree with above - the Council Tax applies to the property, not who pays it or whether they also pay it on another property.

As others have also said, if the "empty/unfurnished" exemption has already been used during the 12 month period, then this may not be available to you.

Ring CT office and ask, if you are elligible for discount etc, they will send you the relevant form.

As for utilities, you become responsible for all of them the moment you take over the property. Contact each one, including the water, and confirm your details, as you need to give meter reading to ensure you do not suddenly get a bill left over from someone else!

I appreciate you can nip home for the toilet, but you will no doubt be using water for cleaning whilst you are doing the place up. Get everything put in your name from day 1, then you know where you stand.

In theory, TV license is only needed when you actually move in, but did you know a portion of the license fee covers BBC Radio transmissions? If you have a radio at the property, they could infact deem you in breach of licence conditions, but I would probably take that chance!

drummer_666

Werdnal wrote: »

I agree with above - the Council Tax applies to the property, not who pays it or whether they also pay it on another property.

As others have also said, if the "empty/unfurnished" exemption has already been used during the 12 month period, then this may not be available to you.

Ring CT office and ask, if you are elligible for discount etc, they will send you the relevant form.

As for utilities, you become responsible for all of them the moment you take over the property. Contact each one, including the water, and confirm your details, as you need to give meter reading to ensure you do not suddenly get a bill left over from someone else!

I appreciate you can nip home for the toilet, but you will no doubt be using water for cleaning whilst you are doing the place up. Get everything put in your name from day 1, then you know where you stand.

In theory, TV license is only needed when you actually move in, but did you know a portion of the license fee covers BBC Radio transmissions? If you have a radio at the property, they could infact deem you in breach of licence conditions, but I would probably take that chance!

I will def contact the council then when I've exchanged and see exactly what discount I can get. Thanks.

I had a look at Severn Trent Water and if you don't require water then you don't have to pay anything. So I'll be ok with that for a month. I'll just fill up a few bottles from my sink at rented place lol.

BCC Radio is rubbish anyway lol, I'll just take my ipod and dock. Blast out some Metallica or something whilst steaming the paper off lol :j

dimbo61

I did say " Ring the council and ask them "
That way you can find out if the current owners are claiming the property is empty and how long they have been claiming the exemption.
I rang my local council and explained that I was living at Address (1) and would be moving to Address (2) on this date.
Had a new council tax bill sent within days of moving.
OP did not state he had 2 homes

drummer_666

i don't have two homes lol. i'm renting at the mo, and I'm now buying.

also i'm not a he lol

Yorkie1

Werdnal wrote: »

In theory, TV license is only needed when you actually move in, but did you know a portion of the license fee covers BBC Radio transmissions? If you have a radio at the property, they could infact deem you in breach of licence conditions, but I would probably take that chance!

Have you got a source for this, Werdnal?

My understanding is that a tv licence is only required if tv receiving equipment is at the house (paraphrased) - and existence of radios is completely irrelevant.