Council tax/water rates on empty property

pineapple

Hi
I'm buying a property with completion fixed for the end of the month but I'll have another 2 months to run on my tenancy so am going to use that time to get the messiest home improvements done - ie before I move in.
The vendor is leaving carpets otherwise it will be unfurnished though I might 'camp out' there the odd night.
At what point do I become liable for council tax and water rates? Completion or moving in date?

westv

Water rates? No meter?

lincroft1710

You become liable for CT on a dwelling as soon as you own (if unoccupied) or occupy that dwelling, whichever is the earlier. My local council gives no discount for an unoccupied or second home.

Rambosmum

You become liable for all once you own. Some councils give a reduction for unoccupied houses but not all.

Water rates, you'll be liable from day one. Plus you'll likely be using it from day one - you'll need to pee and drink whilst doing it up!

dancingfairy

You used to be able to get a 6 month exemption for empty and unfurnished but the government has given each council the power to set their own criteria for discounts/exemptions. Have a look on your local councils website or give them a call to see if there's anything you can claim.
df

eawest29

dancing fairy is right - each council is different - I recently bought a bungalow which I didn't live in for 3 months as it was being renovated - I paid no water rates then had a meter installed which took payments down from £60 a month to £20 - council tax would have been full (to discourage empty properties) but as on my own applied for the single person discount - however if the property is seen as uninhabitable (eg no kitchen or bathroom) then most councils do not charge council tax)

pineapple

Cheers folks. Was confused about the issue as the current council seemed more concerned about when I actually moved in. Thanks for the reminder about a water meter. There isn't one but as a single person it'll probably be cheaper to have one.

lindsloo

My current council doesn't offer a discount for unoccupied properties. The council where we are buying offers a discount for the first 12 months from when it was unoccupied (whether or not you own it) then they charge 150%. It's usually detailed on their website.