Fine From Cannock Council For Empty House

G_M

The answers you need are above

[FONT="]If i did not receive the letter then how could i avoid this Penalty?[/FONT]

[FONT="]The logic should be if i pay the full tax on the property by DD i would have no reason to incur a £70 Penalty, [/FONT]

[FONT="]why would i not have returned the letter if i had received it.[/FONT]

There's no point explaining/complaining to us - explain/complain to the council!

No one can live in it as it is gutted back to Brick in evey Room

But since you did not reply to them (either through oversight by yourself or failure to send the letter by them) they have no way of knowing this.

As Deannatrois says, engage with them!

maxtorathome

Thanks I have no problem with paying it, I just disagree again how this is done.

CIS

[FONT="]The Letter I have Received "Empty Homes Review" on my second property [/FONT]

[FONT="]"You have been advised that is this form is not returned in 21 days of issue a £70 will be added to your account"[/FONT]

[FONT="]"As you have not responded to the previous letter £70 Has been added to your account"[/FONT]

[FONT="]The penalty will not be removed unless you have a reasonable excuse" [/FONT]

The fact that they are not mentioning which regulation they are requesting the information under means that it's difficult to say - it does, potentially, leave it open to argument as to whether or not they are complying with legislation as they're not making it clear which information is being requested under those powers - although, in their defence, all of the powers have the same penalty and 21 day deadline to comply.

AlexMac

Hi Max; I think you need to think through how to separate:

- 1) your indignation about Council rules and policies which are unfair

- 2) the steps you will take to minimise conflict with the Council (which you can't win), react constructively and reduce costs

As regards 1, you should talk to mates in the pub, rant a bit, then put it behind you- although I sympathise

Re. 2, people have already given lots of advice, above, but maybe you could also check if your council gives CT discount or exemption for unfurnished/unoccupied prpoerties or those undergoing major repeairs? I've had that in the past, albeit only for short 1-3 month periods

Either way- maybe best to 1) seek sympathy for hurt feelings in your personal time, then 2) switch over to landlord mode and act business-like?

Best wishes

Mr.Generous

Send them pics of the work being undertaken, it won't meet the criteria for a Council Tax exemption but they may well grant one. Last plaster off (for damp work) renovation we did we sent the pics off and got a 6 month council tax holiday. Well worth a try. Invite empty homes round for a visit, get them on your side. TV licence will probably visit at some point, week day morning or afternoon. if they can tell its unoccupied it will be fine, but then if they can so can a thief or a vandal ...

baldelectrician

In Scotland- the council tax can be exempted for 6 months for renovations.
You then pay full council tax for the next 6 months, if you still have the house empty the council tax can be doubled after a the first year of emptyness.

Crashy_Time

G_M wrote: »

Yes they can - housing is in short supply and councils can take action on properties left empty.


Your defense is obviously

a) you never received the letter and
b) the property has been un renovation


Do not delay - you don't want this escalated to debt collectors (and additional fees).


Be honest but clear.

https://capx.co/there-is-no-uk-housing-crisis-and-there-never-was-one/

Roughly 10,000 empty homes in Staffordshire, is there really that many homeless in the county, or are the council just milking it?