Letting my property for 6 months??

theartfullodger

Agent will swear blind "rent guarantee" insurance will payout if tenant problem. Ask them to show you where the policy pays for a dodgy agent.

Those insurance companies have experts in finding a "no" in the small print...

Most years I make money from Lettings , but not all years.....

Fire_Fox

ShALLaX wrote: »

Uninhabited*. I don't think a few missing cupboards makes a place uninhabitable!

I don't require correcting, thank you, I meant uninhabitable: a home is pretty uncomfortable without a bed or sofa or the like! You do not get a council tax exemption for a place simply being uninhabited whilst fully furnished. The council *might* allow personal possessions to remain, which would certainly save a lot of packing.


"As part of a wider strategy to reduce the number of empty properties in the City, Newcastle City Council is considering removing the discount currently given to properties that have been empty for longer than 6 months. Legislation introduced in 2003 gives the Council the power to determine classes of discount.

As a Billing Authority, Newcastle City Council is proposing that from 1st April 2008, no discount will be granted for Empty Unfurnished and Uninhabitable properties after the relevant exemption has been granted. This means that from 1st April 2008 unoccupied, empty and uninhabitable dwellings currently subject to a 50% discount will be charged 100% of the Council Tax due."
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/benefits-and-council-tax/council-tax/council-tax-changes-empty-property-discount-1st-april-2008

Note that different councils have different rules, the above is an example of the wording only.

LEJC

there are 2 seperate classifications for concil tax purposes

Uninhabitable which can last up to a period of 12 months whereby you are inspected to determine that there is no adequate facilities

and

empty and unfurnished which can last for a period of up to 6 months

Empty and unfurnished is the one which I think would cover the OP situation

You can be considered for a discount in certain circumstances if the property is not habited but furnished,the council that I have had dealings with on this subject allow you a 10% discount for a furnished but unlived in property.

outofmoney

The chances of a tenant from hell are possibly higher than a long term let. They would only see the place as a temporary base, not a home, and as such would probably not be to bothered about it being kept in tip top condition.

I'm not sure of all the legal side but could you possibly rent it out on a weekly basis for holidays?

ShALLaX

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I don't require correcting, thank you, I meant uninhabitable: a home is pretty uncomfortable without a bed or sofa or the like! You do not get a council tax exemption for a place simply being uninhabited whilst fully furnished. The council *might* allow personal possessions to remain, which would certainly save a lot of packing.

I beg to differ. Semantics.

I suspect the wording of your quote is incorrect, it should probably be "Empty Unfurnished or Uninhabitable" since they are two different classes (http://www.merton.gov.uk/advice-benefits/counciltax/ctaxde/exemptions.htm). Lack of a bed and being "uncomfortable" does not make something uninhabitable. Some of us have had to go six months without having a bed or any furniture. Maybe I should claim a refund?

Fire_Fox

ShALLaX wrote: »

I beg to differ. Semantics.

I suspect the wording of your quote is incorrect, it should probably be "Empty Unfurnished or Uninhabitable" since they are two different classes (http://www.merton.gov.uk/advice-benefits/counciltax/ctaxde/exemptions.htm). Lack of a bed and being "uncomfortable" does not make something uninhabitable. Some of us have had to go six months without having a bed or any furniture. Maybe I should claim a refund?

You will understand my posts better if you read what I say not what you erroneously infer. As I said
"If you can move most/ all of the furniture out many councils offer six months free council tax. They need to agree that the place is 'uninhabitable'."

CIS

The catch in this case is that the OP is going abroad for work purposes only and therefore his main residence would remain in the property - irrespective of whether its furnished or not no discount or exemption can be awarded whilst the property remains occupied for council tax purposes.

CIS

Uninhabitable which can last up to a period of 12 months whereby you are inspected to determine that there is no adequate facilities

That's incorrect , there's no mention in any exemption regarding the property having 'adequate facilities' - if the property was served with a notice prohibiting occupation then an unlimited Class G exemption applies, otherwise its a 6 month Class C exemption (unoccupied & unfurnished) or a (maximum of 12 months) Class A exemption for a property undergoing or requiring structural or major works.

CIS

"If you can move most/ all of the furniture out many councils offer six months free council tax. They need to agree that the place is 'uninhabitable'."

Not quite, for a 6 month Class C exemption the property only has to be unoccupied and substantially unfurnished.

LEJC

Gosh it seems we are all being picked up this afternoon for the choice of phrases we use to describe something...