am I council tax exempt due to structural works carried out?

EmanuelaC

I bought a house with my boyfriend and we completed in early December 2014. The house needed major structural works (walls knocked down and rebuilt, bathrooms and kitchen stripped down and rebuilt). Due to these factors we haven't lived at the property for three months, yet have been asked to pay full council tax since the purchase went through.

According to our local council (Mole Valley) we have to pay the full cost of the council tax because the tax is on the house and not on the person who lives there.
I don't disagree with this statement, but it seems unfair we have to pay the full rate when I read I could be exempt up to 12 months because the property was inhabitable.
Moreover somebody from the Council came to visit during January 2015 and agreed the house was inhabitable.

What I found on the gov website agrees with what I thought but my Council seems not to agree.

Who is right? Can I dispute the bill and go to court?

Help!
Emanuela

System

It looks like the only exemption for you seems to be short term empty property exemption.

http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=17298

No other empty property exemption appears to apply

http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=17275

EmanuelaC

Thank you. I have visited the website and yes - that is what they state.
However I don't understand why it is not compliant with the government site.

strange.

System

Yes but the gov site says

You may be able to get a discount if you have a second home or an empty property - it’s up to your council to decide.

&

You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax on an empty home, but your council can decide to give you a discount - the amount is up to them. Contact your council to ask about a discount.

So it is compliant. Your council has decided not to give a discount or exemption.


My bold

EmanuelaC

Many thanks

sad!

CIS

The council tax Class A exemption was removed as of 01 April 2013 and replaced with a Class D council tax discount.

The council have to offer this discount by law however the council get to set the rate so they can set the discount at 0% is they so wish.

System

CIS wrote: »

The council tax Class A exemption was removed as of 01 April 2013 and replaced with a Class D council tax discount..

Interesting. Class D for Mole Valley is

Class D (Dwelling left empty by person who is in detention)

CIS

!!!!!! wrote: »

Interesting. Class D for Mole Valley is

That's a Class D exemption, the Class D discount replaced the Class A exemption in April 2013 - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/2964/regulation/2/made#text%3D%22council%20tax%22