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Council tax for unoccupied house
TwoHousesProblem
Posts: 2 Newbie
Hello everyone, I would be grateful for advice about council tax.
In May this year, my girlfriend and I bought a house in Bedfordshire that is in a poor state. For the next nine months or so it will be unoccupied and builders will renovate it, while we live in rented accommodation (where we have been for some time).
Central Bedfordshire Council tell us that we must pay full council tax on the property (the laws about council tax on unoccupied properties changed on 1 April 2013). I asked them if we could get a single person occupant 25% discount, but they refused. I had wondered whether we could get a single person occupant 25% discount on both our houses, by assigning one of me and my girlfriend to each house.
Does anybody know how we can avoid paying full council tax on both houses? Central Bedfordshire Council tell me that the house is unoccupied unless one of is there "full time". Whatever the exact definition of "full time" is, I'm sure we won't satisfy that. So I'm losing hope! Suggestions appreciated.
In May this year, my girlfriend and I bought a house in Bedfordshire that is in a poor state. For the next nine months or so it will be unoccupied and builders will renovate it, while we live in rented accommodation (where we have been for some time).
Central Bedfordshire Council tell us that we must pay full council tax on the property (the laws about council tax on unoccupied properties changed on 1 April 2013). I asked them if we could get a single person occupant 25% discount, but they refused. I had wondered whether we could get a single person occupant 25% discount on both our houses, by assigning one of me and my girlfriend to each house.
Does anybody know how we can avoid paying full council tax on both houses? Central Bedfordshire Council tell me that the house is unoccupied unless one of is there "full time". Whatever the exact definition of "full time" is, I'm sure we won't satisfy that. So I'm losing hope! Suggestions appreciated.
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Comments
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Full time occupancy doesn't come in to it (it's not mentioned in legislation) however to claim a single person discount a property must be the persons 'sole or main residence' . In this case it is clear the property is not anyone's 'sole or main residence'.I had wondered whether we could get a single person occupant 25% discount on both our houses, by assigning one of me and my girlfriend to each house.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0 -
Thanks very much for that clarification. I may have misquoted Central Bedfordshire Council.
Seems that I'll have to pay the council tax on both houses.0 -
My local council will give you 25% off an unoccupied property for 6 months, we are hoping our house sells before we become liable for the full amount again.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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My local council will give you 25% off an unoccupied property for 6 months, we are hoping our house sells before we become liable for the full amount again.
Since 1 April 13 every local authority is different - some will offer 100% for a period some are offering only 0% - many seem to have a tier based system e.g 1 month at 100%, 5 months at 10% etc.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0
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