Empty Homes Council Tax should be stopped

MaxineClarke

I have a property for sale which is empty and obviously won’t sell due to the estate agent shutting down 
My council in Bedfordshire insist I have to pay 100% council tax while it is empty 
What can I do 

[Deleted User]

 Nothing, empty homes are a blight hence the charge. Put a tenant in 

sharpe106

Why should it be stopped? The council still has to provide the same services if there is somebody in the house or not to use it.

7Phil

I don't know about all councils but mine (in Scotland) provides a discount for a vacant property.
I doubt you will get further relief. Councils are going to be up against it during this crisis and they need all the funds they can get. Landlords are not seen as a vulnerable group and I doubt the government will provide concessions. However, I fully understand that landlords do also struggle financially just as much as everyone else.

It's just not a demographic that is going to get attention soon I am afraid.

PS: Sorry if I wrongly assume you are a landlord as opposed to a typical property seller. I am still surprised you are not given an empty home discount...?

7Phil

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/80/council_tax/171/empty_homes_review
Urrg, seems murky.

If you are liable to pay CT you gotta pay it. Failure to do so will reflect on your credit score.
Speak to a property adviser if you can and your best bet will be to arrange your property in a way that makes it fall into a discount category if you don't expect it to sell for a while.

calcotti

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6119433/empty-homes-council-tax-should-be-stopped#latest

Empty properties
You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax on an empty home, but your council can decide to give you a discount - the amount is up to them. Contact your council to ask about a discount.
You can be charged up to double your Council Tax if your home has been empty for 2 years or more (unless it’s an annexe or you’re in the armed forces).
The rules are different in Scotland.

There are some exceptions which the link above gives - most notably a property of someone who has died until probate is given. 

selina2000

_shel said:

 Nothing, empty homes are a blight hence the charge. Put a tenant in 

You're kidding us, right?

Where is anyone going to get a tenant from right now???
The OP has already told you that Estate Agents are currently closed.

And people should be staying home, saving the NHS & saving lives, not gallivanting around showing/viewing homes, let alone moving into them.

'Everyone must now stay home', only leave if essential - 'these rules are not optional, they are to stop people dying.' - Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.

CIS

MaxineClarke said:

I have a property for sale which is empty and obviously won’t sell due to the estate agent shutting down 
My council in Bedfordshire insist I have to pay 100% council tax while it is empty 
What can I do 

Furnished or unfurnished at the moment

GHolmesAdmin

You are the owner, there is no tenant, you are liable for all the utilities, not just council tax.