New council tax rules landlords uproar !

whalster

With the new rules on council tax from april I had basicaly prepared myself to suck the hammer as it were, but following a meeting of landlords in Wakefield on Wednesday it emerged housing association properties still get six months exemption .I did not know about this and I can tell you every landlord in that room didn't either .it is wrong on so many levels not just to private landlords but ordinary householders by increasing their liability indirectly .
And once again the Eton crew have not thought through !

Now moderators I am not promoting the website of my wife but below is a link to a blogg Amanda did earlier to make landlords aware of this .
it is important because it will push up costs for everyone !
http://privatelandlorddirectory.com/2013/05/housing-associations-bypassing-empty-council-tax-charges/

lighting_up_the_chalice

Social Housing and the Private Rented sector are different. Hardly groundbreaking news, is it?

Ulfar

There are also lots of other differences between social and private.

The fact you were getting a six month exemption was pushing up owner occupiers costs, boots on the other foot and you can now see why those who don't get these exemptions are unhappy about them.

CIS

Now moderators I am not promoting the website of my wife but below is a link to a blogg Amanda did earlier to make landlords aware of this .
it is important because it will push up costs for everyone !

The council now have the powers to vary the rate of the Class C discount (formerly Class C exemption) at a local level - the one thing I am curious about though is whether you're getting confused with a Class B exemption.

Many H/Assoc's are registered charities and so can claim a Class B exemption for 6 months on an unoccupied property - this has hasn't changed and has remained the same for many years.

theartfullodger

Not new news:

The country needs the money: If you don't like the rules & laws find another business or another country to carry on the business or both...

Why would you want to keep a place empty anyway?? Hardly patriotic given the huge housing shortage...

Cheers!

whalster

I am in favour of social housing it is a reflection of any society how it looks after it less well off or able ,however social housing should have remained a public asset and social housing should be built now as a public asset ,funded by every single taxpayer but owned by those taxpayers,we have a long tradition of doing this in this country and Europe in general pity the poor and underclass in the US in their dismal projects ! Never mind the trailer parks.
Under the transfer to housing associations of housing stock and funds through the 106 social housting provision system heaped upon developers a good ten years ago this has seen private buyers on boviis persimmon etc etc sites paying a good 10percent more for their new house than they would have and has been a massive factor in the collapse in new house building .
Now not content with this subsidy by removal of our public asset subsidy by a narrow band of people buying new houses ( cos its not developers standing it) they are also wanting us to sub. The council tax too but as with the above its not us private landlords who will be paying ,it's increases in rent to tenants .
I understand that the class B has not changed but to be fair to all it should have .and as the post above says running a business as a private landlord is not a problem but you know I am sure you will be passing on the cost artfulllodger but this is not the US and I pity your tenants if this post reflects the amount of empathy you have

lighting_up_the_chalice

whalster wrote: »

I understand that the class B has not changed but to be fair to all it should have .and as the post above says running a business as a private landlord is not a problem but you know I am sure you will be passing on the cost artfulllodger but this is not the US and I pity your tenants if this post reflects the amount of empathy you have

If I was you, I would worry that your properties aren't anywhere near to Artfulls. He, after all, keeps his properties occupied and, in so doing, avoids the cost and any need to pass it on. As a result, he will be able to undercut you by operating his business more efficiently. Pity YOUR tenants, who have a landlord who feels he can charge whatever he likes..... No wonder void periods are of so much concern to you.

theartfullodger

For the avoidance of doubt may I point out lucp does not, AFAIK, have any evidence for his statement:

Sometimes I - like any other landlord - do get voids if I can't find the "right" tenant, or need to refurbish. Not getting rent when that happens whilst paying CT & leccy etc is just a business cost I chose to bear...and the CT is, relatively, of small importance compared to the missing rent.. but I would find whinging about it on forums or indeed, especially to the wife, gets no sympathy whatsoever.. not that I do so whinge,.... just like most landlords...

Should we start a thread about why it is SOOO unfair that men get to claim their state pension later that women (yes it is slowly being equalised..) then typically die off earlier so get less benefit for the same (or more) NI contributions?? Nah, let's get out there and have fun instead...

I have no intention of undercutting whalster: I'd rather make more profit ... and pay more tax to the Exchequer...

Cheers to all, including those who disagree with me!!

lighting_up_the_chalice

theartfullodger wrote: »

For the avoidance of doubt may i point out lucp does not, AFAIK, have any evidence for his statement:

Indeed. Should have used "may", "could", "might" a bit more.

Ulfar

How about we whinge that private LL can put mortgage interest against taxable income, whereas owner occupiers can't.

This has done far more to increase house prices than developers having to set aside so many properties as affordable or for social housing.

Its the way it is don't like it then speak to your MP.

This country actually needs a large social housing building program, but that won't make you happy as it could affect rents negatively.

Errata

It obviously hasn't occurred to the OP that the HA can use the void period for repairs, updating, renew, decorate without having to shoulder the burden of tax when the property isn't generating income.