Council tax on unoccupied property

cariad90

Hi,

I am emailing on behalf of my mum, I am wondering if you are able to advise us?

My mum owns a property in Swansea which is currently unoccupied. Previously Mum was paying half priced council tax on this property but now due to changes that Swansea Council have brought in she is expected to pay 100% council tax plus a further 100% premium on top. 

Whilst I appreciate that paying 100% council tax on unoccupied properties is to be expected we struggle to understand how home owners can be expected to pay double?

Paying this amount on top of council tax for the property my mum actually lives in would be a tall feat under any circumstance but her financial position has been impacted on due to the current situation and pandemic meaning paying both bills has become unachievable and a huge strain. 

Mum has previously spoken to Swansea Council regarding a grant they say is available for home owners in this position to assist them in bringing the property back to a suitable standard for it to be lived in once more, rented or sold. She was told however that due to existing debt she has she would be uneligible to apply for this. This seems very unfair and almost discriminatory, especially as the vast majority of home owners would have some debt of some sort. 

This situation is understandably creating a lot of stress and anxiety for my mum who would be happy to look into bringing the property back to a condition where by it could be rented but as it stands with the expected council tax costs and eligibility for financial support from Council she is simply unable to do so. 

Could you please advise how we can move forward or whether there is any support with challenging this situation? 

lincroft1710

I doubt there is any legal challenge to having to pay the 100% CT Premium as the circumstances for it being charged are clearly stated here 

https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-06/council-tax-on-empty-and-second-homes.pdf

As regards a grant it, I may have misread this https://www.swansea.gov.uk/helptorepairyourhome but it seems you have to occupy the house in order to qualify.

If your mother cannot afford the CT or to repair the house, would it not be an idea to sell it?

Carrot007

cariad90 said:

This situation is understandably creating a lot of stress and anxiety for my mum who would be happy to look into bringing the property back to a condition where by it could be rented but as it stands with the expected council tax costs and eligibility for financial support from Council she is simply unable to do so. 

So she would be happy to take money and then have a new money pit? Renting is a business and she should not be subsidised for it. How will she pay for the upkeep and losses from renting?

Time to sell.

CIS

cariad90 said:

Could you please advise how we can move forward or whether there is any support with challenging this situation? 

Providing the charge has been lawfully set there is no successful challenge - the overall policy decision on setting it would need a judicial review.

pramsay13

Why does she not live there and what is needed to bring it to a habitable state?
From the little information you've given it sounds as though her only choices are to pay the council tax demanded or to sell the property.

MalMonroe

The 100% increase doesn't come into force until April so your Mum has time to sell it before then. 

There are SOME exemptions but I don't think your mother qualifies for them. 

Two links here :

https://gov.wales/council-tax-discounts-and-reduction/empty-property

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-cymru/documents/information-guides-and-factsheets/fs21w.pdf

Yahoo_Mail

MalMonroe said:

The 100% increase doesn't come into force until April so your Mum has time to sell it before then. 

There are SOME exemptions but I don't think your mother qualifies for them. 

Two links here :

https://gov.wales/council-tax-discounts-and-reduction/empty-property

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-cymru/documents/information-guides-and-factsheets/fs21w.pdf

You should probably read things before you post links to them.

The first link is about properties that are empty due to the death of the owner and the second one says that as of April 2017 councils have been allowed to charge a 100% premium on long term empty properties.

[Deleted User]

cariad90 said:

Hi,

I am emailing on behalf of my mum, I am wondering if you are able to advise us?

My mum owns a property in Swansea which is currently unoccupied. Previously Mum was paying half priced council tax on this property but now due to changes that Swansea Council have brought in she is expected to pay 100% council tax plus a further 100% premium on top. 

Whilst I appreciate that paying 100% council tax on unoccupied properties is to be expected we struggle to understand how home owners can be expected to pay double?

Paying this amount on top of council tax for the property my mum actually lives in would be a tall feat under any circumstance but her financial position has been impacted on due to the current situation and pandemic meaning paying both bills has become unachievable and a huge strain. 

Mum has previously spoken to Swansea Council regarding a grant they say is available for home owners in this position to assist them in bringing the property back to a suitable standard for it to be lived in once more, rented or sold. She was told however that due to existing debt she has she would be uneligible to apply for this. This seems very unfair and almost discriminatory, especially as the vast majority of home owners would have some debt of some sort. 

This situation is understandably creating a lot of stress and anxiety for my mum who would be happy to look into bringing the property back to a condition where by it could be rented but as it stands with the expected council tax costs and eligibility for financial support from Council she is simply unable to do so. 

Could you please advise how we can move forward or whether there is any support with challenging this situation? 

Sell the unoccupied property, no council tax to pay and debts cleared?

macman

What is the context here? How long has it been empty and how has it come to be in a condition where it cannot be rented? Who does she owe the debt to?
Subject to that, it seems that the LA's policy on surcharging is the right one. No one benefits from the current situation. If the property is sold, as a result of the surcharge, then your mum trades a depreciating asset for cash, the council gets ongoing CT revenue, and the housing stock is increased.

cariad90

Thank you to those of you that offered helpful advice. The house is currently empty and not being lived in due to very personal reasons, which I did not wish to elaborate on on a public forum. Of course selling the property is the first and foremost solution I was just looking for alternative points of view.

Carrot007..…. There really was no need to be so rude however. You know what they say 'if you've got nothing nice to say......' plus you missed my point entirely. 

Thanks again to those of you that were actually helpful