Council tax on empty propties

davidmcn

tacpot12 wrote: »

It does seems a little unfair that this charge has been levied without any communication. I'm fairly aware of rules on Council Tax and didn't know about this so how are ordinary residents supposed to be aware of this?

From looking at the council's website, for starters?

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/council-tax/council-tax-discounts-exemptions

or from paying attention to the news - this from when the new rules were introduced, plenty else in the subsequent six years:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21814039

BLADES

I do understand now that the law was there in2013 but how can we look for something that we were unaware off. Especially when the council have wrote to us plenty of times saying . We know you property is empty etc and not made one mention of the to going up, or when we have spoke to them each year and they have just continued with the normal rate.

getmore4less

When we had an empty spare property we had a handy student in the family we could move in, CT goes down to zero.

POPPYOSCAR

It does seem harsh.

But I understand why they do it to discourage properties lying empty.

No doubt some get round it though one way or another.

ProDave

Your wife could always "move" back in, and get the single occupancy discount. and since you would be on your own, so could you.

davidmcn

ProDave wrote: »

Your wife could always "move" back in, and get the single occupancy discount. and since you would be on your own, so could you.

No, couples aren't allowed to use that fairly obvious dodge (unless of course they are genuinely separated).

theartfullodger

Pleased to hear councils are penalising people leaving property empty when so many are homeless.



Beware other taxes: Property owners may have to pay over 10 types of tax..


Best regards to all.


Artful: Currently paying council tax twice.

AdrianC

theartfullodger wrote: »

Pleased to hear councils are penalising people leaving property empty when so many are homeless.

In similar good news...
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6018663/threatened-cpo

TheGardener

Have you still got last years bill? Had similar issues with late fathers flat but on re-reading the bill found I had been given plenty warning. It was also made clear in the little booklet that details how the money is spent that councils send with each years bill.
I was aware of it via general news though - it has been talked about on the forum boards, in local papers and on the national news a few times.

There is a lot of public support for deterring property owners from leaving homes empty. The 100% extra CT is just one of a number of measures aimed at this particular problem. Our local council have a whole team of Empty Homes Officers who work with property owners to find solutions to leaving property empty. Why don't you see if your council have a similar team? They might be able to find a solution for you - after 2 years on the market, it clear you aint going to sell any time soon.

CIS

There is no requirement for the local authority to directly warn a person in advance of any changes to the premium amount other than via the demand notice.

(Without digging through my copy of the legislation)The local authority have to publish public notification of a change to the premium amount however, if not correctly carried out, it does not invalidate the issuing of a demand notice and its enforceability.