bought a flat, when do i start paying council tax

user1168934

I have complated on a flat on 30 July but I have not moved in yet. Moreover the flat is located on the same street where I am currently renting so it comes within the same council. I am already paying council tax on the property I am renting. I am planning to move before the end of this month.

The question is when do I start paying council tax for the flat i bought. Is it from the day when I completed or from the day I moved in?

Do I have to pay council tax for both properties considering for this period, they are in the same council and we are the same family in posession of both?

P.S. sorry if this is the wrong forum for this.

m_13

Your bill starts the day you became owner of the property but it seems to take them a while to send a bill. We've owned our house exactly one month today but haven't had a bill despite ringing them to chase and ensure that they had all our details. We also haven't had a bill for our old property.

Most councils do not allow people to have a reduction for empty properties any more. Some charge 150% to discourage people from having properties sitting empty. You'll need to look at your council's website to find out their policy.

SailorSam

When i bought here it was almost a year before i actually moved in and the Council said as long as it was empty with no furniture in it i never needed to pay Council Tax, i was already paying to the same council on the property i was trying to sell.
But that was over 7yrs ago, i think things have changed and you're due right away.

ic

Here's what my council, Stockport, does:

From 1st April 2013 a 100% Discount will apply for the first two months from the date the property became unoccupied and unfurnished.

If the property is still empty after 2 months, the discount is reduced to 75% for the following 4 months.

After the property has been empty for a total of 6 months, the discount will be reduced to 25%.

If the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished for 2 years or more, the full charge will become payable plus a 50% premium. (150% is payable).

vw100

Normally council tax starts from the day you own the property. Councils get this information from the land registry or other connected database. Depending on the council, some allow 1 month empty property exemption, and then they start charging. Check with your local authority.

savvy02_2

We completed on our house on 1st Nov 2013. Phoned council and informed them, told them we wanted to pay by DD, etc, and got our first bill late Jan / early Feb 2014 for the lump sum to take us to the end of the tax year. Paid that off in full and been on DD spread out monthly since April this year.

pinkteapot

I've always told the council that I've moved, rather than relying on them getting the message from the Land Registry. I've had periods of overlap where I've still be renting but have also owned a house. Phone your council and explain the situation - they'll tell you what you'll pay and from when.

gfplux

Just phone your council and they will tell you.

booksurr

SailorSam wrote: »

When i bought here it was almost a year before i actually moved in and the Council said as long as it was empty with no furniture in it i never needed to pay Council Tax, i was already paying to the same council on the property i was trying to sell.
But that was over 7yrs ago, i think things have changed

given that council tax rules changed in April 2013 the info above is so out of date it is not just irrelevant it is misleading

OP you are liable from the date of completion

it depends on the policy of your own council how much they will charge you, for example they may allow you one of the following scenarios on the new property:
- a discount for a short period because it is unfurnished and empty; or
- a full charge because it is a second home

you won't know until you ask them

user1168934

Thanks guys for your very useful replies. I found the following on the council website, will also give them a call later this afternoon.

Unfurnished and unoccupied properties

An empty and unfurnished property is eligible for a full council tax discount (100%) for a maximum of 28 days. A full charge becomes payable after the first 28 days.
This discount replaces the class C empty and unfurnished exemption, which ceased on 1st April 2013.

user1168934

Just spoke to the council, they acknowledge that discount can be made but refused the discount saying that the discount on this property has already been claimed. I think the property was empty for a month before I bought it and the seller has claimed this discount.
I tried to argue that I never claimed this discount to which she said it is not a personal discount it is a property based discount so looks like I will have to pay for it in this case.

Many thanks for your replies though.