Council tax for empty flat

sijohnson

How ridiculous, having to pay full council tax for my rental property whilst empty. can't even get 25% discount. Where do they justify this as no services are used?
:mad:

[Deleted User]

Probably due to money being tight and the discounts encourage people to keep their houses empty if it's convenient, which reduces available housing, councils would rather keeping a house empty be very inconvenient which encourages letting or sale. The housing situation in this country is not very good, although it's unfortunate you're incurring costs, by keeping the house empty you're contributing to the housing problem. If you can't find someone to rent, lower the price.

00ec25

goodness knows how many times this ill informed rant has been aired
So, does not use:
- roads to get there
- pavement to get to the front door
- street lights to deter burglars
- police to arrest them
- fire brigade to save it
- council planning dept to stop next door from over developing and ruining your visual amenity
- street sweepers and grass cutters to stop the area looking a dive

whalster

Ask your council if the housing associations in your area still get their 6 month discount ! Bet you a pound to a penny they do as they are a 'registered charity'
There is nothing wrong in trying to keep occupation up in any kind of property as long as it is a level playing field ,historically housing association housing and council housing ,( basically the same thing until our public asset was given away ) are empty much longer than private rentals so how come they are not being encouraged through even tougher regulation .
The whole new system stinks .
I got a floundering answer on this from Mark Prisk and his underling the housing minister who did not address the issue ,surprise surprise !!!

MarkBargain

I agree the system isn't right; I think they should charge double Council Tax for empty homes to discourage them standing empty at a time many people are homeless or living in B&Bs.

ognum

sijohnson wrote: »

How ridiculous, having to pay full council tax for my rental property whilst empty. can't even get 25% discount. Where do they justify this as no services are used?
:mad:

I am a landlord and I agree with the new policy, it helps concentrate landlords minds into getting new tenants in, keeps down rents by encouraging landlords to set fair rents in order to avoid voids and helps local authorities maintain services.

These are tough times and you are running a buisness, set a competitive rent, create a property that is attractive to rent and get tenants in quickly.

Dan-Dan

sijohnson wrote: »

How ridiculous, having to pay full council tax for my rental property whilst empty. can't even get 25% discount. Where do they justify this as no services are used?
:mad:

Ahhh poor you , let me go fetch my violin

tim123456789

sijohnson wrote: »

How ridiculous, having to pay full council tax for my rental property whilst empty. can't even get 25% discount. Where do they justify this as no services are used?
:mad:

It's a change in the rules to punish owners of second homes that they use as holiday homes.

and a lot of other people have been caught up in the flack

tim

Werdnal

sijohnson wrote: »

How ridiculous, having to pay full council tax for my rental property whilst empty. can't even get 25% discount. Where do they justify this as no services are used?
:mad:

Then get another tenant in quickly to help reduce your void costs.

I too am totally in agreement with this change, and I too am a LL!

And people with 2nd homes that they only use for holidays 6-8 weeks a year, should be charged double!