Council tax charges on empty property 3 years after death of owner

cb1977

Not sure this is the correct place for this subject, BUT can anyone help....dad passed away 3 years ago leaving the house to myself and my two brothers, probates been and gone, we had one offer on the house which we accepted but turned out to be time waster. Then Covid-19 came and now we’ve got less chances of selling anytime soon, the main query is about the Council Tax bills, it’s becoming a nightmare because the grim reality is we could end up paying Council tax on a property that’s not going to sell for at least another year AND I’m the only sibling trying to deal with it all. (Property is empty) Thanks in advance 👍

AnotherJoe

Whats your query? Lower your price if you dont want to be paying CT for another year.

Dox

Get a tenant, which should cover both the running costs and the council tax. If the property isn't in a fit state to be rented out, try a house angel on the basis they can live rent free in return for doing the place up (and of course paying their own council tax).

HampshireH

...and insurance and utility standing charges.


Sounds like the price needs to come down to attract a wider audience.

Do you have a link to the rightmove ad. Most people on the renting/ buying board love a rightmove link and many can offer advice on how to enhance a property to attract buyers

getmore4less

Covid is 6 months not 3 years. 

There is more to this than a single time wasting potential buyer. 

Round us sold signs have been going up for a couple of weeks.

Probably a pricing issue, certainly the first thing to review. 

gozaimasu

Just let the council take you to court and claim the money from the estate. Don't pay it.

Flugelhorn

What has taken so long? not covid.
If the price was right it should have sold within a year - sounds like you need to reduce it and see if you get more interest.

Stubod

..and be aware that in some places, (eg Wales) they actually charge more CT on an empty property....

Marcon

gozaimasu said:

Just let the council take you to court and claim the money from the estate. Don't pay it.

Poor advice, since you'll simply add costs as well as council tax to the amount you have to pay.
Why is the property empty? Get a tenant, drop the price and sell the blessed place.

CIS

Stubod said:

..and be aware that in some places, (eg Wales) they actually charge more CT on an empty property....

England, Scotland and Wales all do - once the specific criteria are met.