Council tax information requested by council

cge201

Hi all,
I wonder if someone could advise me please, my grandfather has gone into a care home and he now has an exemption on council tax for his flat. The council have since written to ask whether the property is furnished, whether he owns or rents the property and when he became the owner of the property.

Could anyone tell me why they need to know about these, does it affect the council tax exemption or is it for another reason?

Many thanks in advance

greatcrested

A few guesses:

* If he rents they'll expect the tenancy to be ended.

* If unfurnished that suggests it's no longer his main residence and unfurnished property discount/premium might apply (rather than the care exemption)

* if he owns, and is receiving Local Authority support for his care costs, he may be expected to sell

AdrianC

Is there any likelihood of your grandfather returning to the flat?

Does he own it? Have his assets been fully declared to the local authority? Is he self-funding?

cge201

Thank you for your replies, both of you I really appreciate it.

He owns the property and won't be returning unfortunately as his care needs are too great.

Yes he is self funding and at some point the flat will have to be sold to continue to pay for his care so I guess that is why they are asking, I hadn't thought of that.
I thought the care exemption applied if the property was unfurnished or furnished and applies as long as he is in a care home-is this not the case?

Thanks for taking the time to reply 🙂 

AdrianC

Class E is the relevant exemption...
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/558/article/3/made

Class E:

an unoccupied dwelling which was previously the sole or main residence of a qualifying person who– (a)has his sole or main residence elsewhere in the circumstances specified in paragraph 6, 7, or 8 of Schedule 1 to the Act(2); and (b)has been a relevant absentee for the whole of the period since the dwelling last ceased to be his sole or main residence;

CIS

Could anyone tell me why they need to know about these, does it affect the council tax exemption or is it for another reason?

It's irrelevant for the Class E but they need to know for longer term purposes, especially so if it gets to the point where long term empty reductions might be needed.