council tax

hitman08

When you've bought a property but don't live in it for 6 months is the council tax free for 6 months?

StuC75

depends upon the property condition and what has been left furniture wise in the property. Though I know my council (Kirklees) has recently removed such discounts..

check on the internet for your local council, they will advise accordingly.

chappers

Here in Oxford if the property is uninhabited and un furnished there is up to a 6 month total exemption, some councils will give a 50% discount over 12 months others nothing.

mrsmchapman

You would need to check your local council as the rules for this changed April 1st.

This is our local council rules

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decCB/Exemptions_occw.htm

midnight68

3 months exemption here and if the property remains vacant and unfurnished for 2 years ct goes up to 150%.

chappers

mrsmchapman wrote: »

You would need to check your local council as the rules for this changed April 1st.

This is our local council rules

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decCB/Exemptions_occw.htm

You are correct Mrs Chapman, thats really clever of the council, you are now better off registering an empty property as single occupant.

Cheers
Mr Chapman

00ec25

chappers wrote: »

You are correct Mrs Chapman, thats really clever of the council, you are now better off registering an empty property as single occupant.

Cheers
Mr Chapman

which would be committing fraud since, by definition, an empty property cannot be the residence of anyone, single or not

ognum

Here in Cambridge all exemptions have been discontinued!

CIS

Here in Cambridge all exemptions have been discontinued!

The only exemptions that have been discontinued are the Class A (empty and undergoing works) and the Class C (unoccupied and unfurnished).

The Class A exemption is now known a Class D discount and the Class C exemption is now known as a Class C discount.

The council's must continue to give these exemptions at the appropriate discount but they are free to set the discount any rate they wish (including 0%).

junglejim2

You are correct Mrs Chapman, thats really clever of the council, you are now better off registering an empty property as single occupant.

Better still..... register as a single occupant in full time education.

chappers

00ec25 wrote: »

which would be committing fraud since, by definition, an empty property cannot be the residence of anyone, single or not

Well in that case here in Oxford the council tax officers are helping to commit that fraud.
A couple of years ago I enquired about an exemption on an empty property and as it was going to remain part furnished they told me it couldn't be exempt but they gave me a single persons discount, at their suggestion, not my request.