Council Tax After House Sale

GoingSolo

Just sold my Mothers property. She passed away in Nov 2015.
We were told we had six months grace on paying CT on the property and after that we have to pay FULL CT on the property.

So from June to January we'll have to pay 8 months back tax. How do the council claim this back or is it our duty to inform them or do they write to us once the property has new owners on the CT register?

Also, do we have to pay it? Can we challenge it. We didn't plan to be landlords and the property stood empty from her passing to date

marliepanda

If your council only offers 6 months free then you should have been paying for the last 8 months.

I would call them and arrange how you are going to pay.

What does being landlords have to do with anything? You say it's been empty? You can't be a landlord of an empty house.

Yes you have to pay it. I don't understand what you're even talking about. You could have sold it quicker. The 'we didn't mean to be landlords' makes no sense as it's had no tenants. If the house caught on fire you'd want it putting out. If it was burgled you would want the police to attend. Yes you have to pay council tax. Be lucky you got 6 months free. Many councils wouldn't have given you that...

GoingSolo

From the councils website

Class C * Empty and unfurnished properties Full council tax

Changes to discounts and exemptions

The Council has made some changes with regards to the discounts and exemptions on second homes and empty properties. From 31 March 2013 the following discounts and exemptions ended, and from 1 April 2013 the full Council Tax charge is payable.

The exemption for dwellings that have been empty for less than six months
The 50% discount for dwellings that have been empty for more than six months
The exemption for empty dwellings that require or are undergoing major structural repair work to make them habitable
The 10% discount on second homes and unoccupied furnished lets.

csgohan4

Rules are quire clear, pay up like everyone else


https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay

marliepanda

GoingSolo, That says 'the following discounts ended'

So why are you quoting that?

GoingSolo

Now we didn't ask our Mother to die but it seems unjust that we have to pay CT when the following applies

Exempt properties
Some properties are exempt from Council Tax. If you own or live in a property described below you may be exempt from paying Council Tax.

If you believe your property falls into one of these categories please contact Customer Service on 01642 397108.

Exemption Class Empty properties exempt from Council Tax
B Empty property owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months)
D Property left empty by someone who is in detention

marliepanda

Sorry but there's no point dwelling on what you think is unfair.

You could have sold the property quicker. Sorry but you could.

People in jail need to have a home to go to and have no income.

You may not agree with it but you can't challenge your own liability based on 'oi but Kevin in the nick isn't paying!'

Doozergirl

D = in prison! You're being ridiculous. Someone in prison is also likely to lose that home if it's mortgaged, given that they won't be earning much. I'm not sure it's an enviable position to be in. Comparing yourself in that manner is unattractive.

I appreciate you're not keen to pay, but councils offer no discount whatsoever. Perhaps you could look on the brighter side this particular coin instead.

davidmcn

I'd expect the council to reinstate the full rate automatically once the 6 months are up - what does their bill for the current year say?

getmore4less

The 6 months should start from date of grant not date of death

Class F exemption.

some councils try to hide this exemption so charge from DOD.

further exemptions may apply depending on the council

Alter_ego

Can't understand your title - Council tax after house sale.
You don't pay the tax after the sale. Only up to the date of sale.