No longer entitled to single person 25% council tax discount, but still single!!

PasturesNew

Just tell them you live there and be done with it.

missile

Welcome to the real world. Owning property can be expensive and there are no guarantees. You have had the benefit of 6 months off now you should pay your taxes > just like the rest of us have to.

CIS

The Council Tax regs are a bit unclear a times - but its correct ( I work in Council Tax). Probably the easiest explanation of who it works is copied below from a councils website.

These are national regs and local council's have not yet been given the power to change them on a local basis - although they do have some powers to change the amount charged when the property empty and furnished or has a zero occupancy charge.

Property that is vacant

A property that is 'vacant' is one that is unoccupied and unfurnished.
When a property is left vacant it may be exempt for up to 6 months. The exemption starts from the day it first became vacant and continues until either;

• it is occupied, or
• it is furnished, or
• the 6 month period has ended.

For example, a property may become vacant if you have moved to a new address but the sale of the first property has not completed or your tenancy agreement has not ended. Alternatively, you might not move into your new address on the date the purchase completes or your tenancy agreement starts. Also, properties that are let may be vacant between tenancies.

If a property changes hands during an exemption period, the new owner or tenant may benefit from the remainder of the 6 month exemption period. So, if the previous occupier moved out leaving the property vacant 4 months prior to the completion of sale, the new owner may benefit from an exemption for the remaining 2 months, providing the property remains vacant. The 6 month period of exemption does not start again when the liability for council tax changes.

There is one thing to note, however. If the property is furnished or occupied before the exemption ends, and then it becomes vacant again within 6 weeks, the exemption can only be granted for the remainder of the original 6 month period. The 6 month exemption period will only start again if the property has been occupied or furnished for a period of 6 weeks or more.

brazilianwax

Jauqq wrote: »

The flat isn't some second home i'm keeping empty or anything..it is my home!!! If you'd read the thread, you'd find i'm living with parents whilst i've been trying to sell it... have been since May of this year!!.
and now i'm stuck with a flat i'm trying to sell at a bad time of year!!!!
So i'm not holding onto it... I want rid of the thing!!!!!
Anyway i'm in London so its not loosing money, just prices holding steady at the moment. It will still rise in value, but at a very much reduced rate than before.

Not easy to sell an empty flat - majority of people don't like the uncertainty of a place that's been unoccupied.

You might find it easier to sell if you furnished it (however basically). Could you rent/borrow some furniture and drop the price slightly? - might renew interest. I managed to sell a mostly unoccupied but furnished property easily. At this time of year an empty property will feel dark and cold (and might smell a bit odd too). Even a cheap bright duvet cover on a bed will make the place feel brighter and more homely.