Crossover in moving dates - council tax liability

aldredd

Hello, in order to secure a property we were keen to rent, we agreed to begin the tenancy approx 2 weeks before the end of our current tenancy. This isn't a big deal, as it means we don't need to rush moving out and putting our existing property right. Obviously, I'll be expected to pay for any utilities at the old property during those 2 weeks - but what about council tax? Would we still be liable for the council tax at the old property during those 2 weeks?

thanks!

jjlandlord

You'll be liable for council tax on both properties during these 2 weeks.

Miss_Marple_2

I thought it would depend on whether the property you are leaving is empty ( of people & furniture).


With our councill, you get up to 2 months 100% reduction provided that the property is completely empty.

Also - make sure that they don't over charge. I left a property and the landlord ( who was my brother and I was POA for him) was sent a bill for the time it was empty ( it was empty 2 months and one week before new tenants moved in) and after deduction of the 2 months, they still calculated that he owed over £600. I checked the calculation and they had not taken into account that the council tax that I had paid up until the point of leaving was at the 25% discount for single occupancy, so they were trying to charge my landlord my 25% for 8 months as well as the 2 months and a week that it was empty. I argued on his behalf and they recalculated to find he owed £28.

Building_Surveyor

It's up to your local council to decide whether you get a discount and what it will be. You will need to ask them.

Freecall

Building_Surveyor is correct. The national rules were abolished last year and each council now has the ability to decide how it handles reductions and exemptions.

aldredd

Thanks for the replies. I'll give them a call to find out. Property will be empty for the two weeks.
The LL reckons he might have someone ready to move in before the two weeks is up anyway, so hopefully it'll be irrelevant.

dimbo61

Give your local council tax office a call and ask the question!
Follow this up with a letter stating what you discussed with MISS/MRS/MR XXXX at the council tax office at 12.25 on the 3/03/2014.
If you have to pay both for 2 weeks can you claim 75% discount as one person moves into the property and one person stays in the old property!!!
Better than 100% Council Tax on both properties!

fed_up_and_stressed

dimbo61 wrote: »

Give your local council tax office a call and ask the question!
Follow this up with a letter stating what you discussed with MISS/MRS/MR XXXX at the council tax office at 12.25 on the 3/03/2014.
If you have to pay both for 2 weeks can you claim 75% discount as one person moves into the property and one person stays in the old property!!!
Better than 100% Council Tax on both properties!

Single person discount is 25% not 75%.

agrinnall

I'm not convinced that claiming single occupancy discount would be possible anyway, lots of times I've seen threads on here that state that you can't choose which of two properties is your main home, it's dictated by circumstances, and if there is a family then there has to be a single family home.

aldredd

Been reading up. Difficult to find info, but from what I can gather I can have 1 month at 100% discount, after which I'd be liable for 100% of the bill, so looks like I should be ok.

00ec25

aldredd wrote: »

Been reading up. Difficult to find info, but from what I can gather I can have 1 month at 100% discount, after which I'd be liable for 100% of the bill, so looks like I should be ok.

the discount policy should be clearly displayed on your council's website.