council tax exemption?

K.Tarshes

It always used to be as I remember if it was unfurnished and empty it was exempt. Now things have changed somewhat?

Council Tax Class Definitions

CLASS A: Unoccupied dwelling where major repair/alteration works are required, underway or recently completed. The exemption continues for 6 months after the completion of the works or for a maximum of 12 months, which ever is the shorter period.

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Does this mean that all derelict buildings in the UK will suddenly have council tax due in 12 months time?

Is it a case of you have 12 month to do it up AFTER you buy it?

mrsmchapman

The rules and reductions on council tax for unoccupied, derelict building etc all changed this year. You need to look on the website for your local council as they all vary.

If you are still unsure I'd suggest contacting the council, and speaking to them as as to what is major work etc

K.Tarshes

mrsmchapman wrote: »

The rules and reductions on council tax for unoccupied, derelict building etc all changed this year. You need to look on the website for your local council as they all vary.

If you are still unsure I'd suggest contacting the council, and speaking to them as as to what is major work etc

my first post was a cut and paste from the council website today.

This is quite a change I never really saw reported on. So in 12 months time all derelict buildings need to start paying council tax?

I can see lots of supply coming back online when the owners realise.

But is it 12months from when new owners buy it? What about if you buy a derelict property now, it has been derelict for many years? Does the 12months start counting from the day new owners buy it?

justjohn

Some council have slightly different rules. But it has changed and most councils charge full whack. It is to encourage re occupancy of long term empty houses.

K.Tarshes

justjohn wrote: »

Some council have slightly different rules. But it has changed and most councils charge full whack. It is to encourage re occupancy of long term empty houses.

Yes what a big change. I can see many old abandoned properties suddenly flooding the market soon when this sinks in.

TexasChainstoreMascara

I have an empty house currently for sale. The local council there offer no deductions for an empty and unfurnished house, and after 24 months the council tax would be 150% or one and a half times the normal rate.

K.Tarshes

TexasChainstoreMascara wrote: »

I have an empty house currently for sale. The local council there offer no deductions for an empty and unfurnished house, and after 24 months the council tax would be 150% or one and a half times the normal rate.

Its a good idea there are still over 1million empty homes in the UK. This will get more of them occupied.

I just want to know if I buy this derelict property will I be exepmt for CT for 12mnths until I can do it up to rent out?

Errata

K.Tarshes wrote: »

I just want to know if I buy this derelict property will I be exepmt for CT for 12mnths until I can do it up to rent out?

Ask your council.

tim123456789

K.Tarshes wrote: »

It always used to be as I remember if it was unfurnished and empty it was exempt. Now things have changed somewhat?

Council Tax Class Definitions

CLASS A: Unoccupied dwelling where major repair/alteration works are required, underway or recently completed. The exemption continues for 6 months after the completion of the works or for a maximum of 12 months, which ever is the shorter period.

-

Does this mean that all derelict buildings in the UK will suddenly have council tax due in 12 months time?

Is it a case of you have 12 month to do it up AFTER you buy it?

if a house is completely uninhabitable it will not have a CT rating and will continue to be CT exempt.

Otherwise, yes, you have N months to do it up and sell on (where N depends upon the whim of your council)

tim

lincroft1710

tim123456789 wrote: »

if a house is completely uninhabitable it will not have a CT rating

It may not have a CT banding.

The current/previous owner may not have applied to the VOA to have the property de-listed. I came across several properties which were clearly not capable of being lived in, and had not been for several years, yet they still had a CT band.

BTW there is no definition of uninhabitable in CT law.

witchy1066

if your house has water , sanitation , and some kind of utility, gas , electric, LPG or oil , then it is classed as habitable

you will have to pay full council tax from the day you exchange contracts if your property is classed as "habitable"