Empty property council tax discount - proving it?!

Thrugelmir

icantbelieveitsnotbutter_2 said:

They are there, ultimately, to serve the public - not the other way around.

The more indignation you express the less likely they are to trust you. Majority of people would spend their time finding a solution to their problem. Rather than rant to total strangers on an internet forum.  If want a discount do something about it!  The rules are in place for good reason. 

icantbelieveitsnotbutter_2

Slinky said:

Did you employ a removals company? Can you send them a copy of your removals invoice as proof they've shifted your furniture elsewhere?

Brilliant idea, thank you, I shall submit that to them.

icantbelieveitsnotbutter_2

FaceHead said:

What about electricity, gas and water bills? Particularly if the property has smart meters these can provide some decent evidence of whether the property is occupied (although not about if it's furnished).

You want a discount. You've got to come up with at least some evidence. If it's not agreeing to the inspection, then try to provide something else, otherwise it does (from the council's point of view) look rather like you might be trying to pull a fast one. Balance of probabilities really isn't a high standard.

This is a possibility too - consumption has been zero, or as good as, whilst obviously the property has been unoccupied. Metre readings would evidence this to a sufficient degree. Thank you for the helpful suggestion. 

lincroft1710

icantbelieveitsnotbutter_2 said:

FaceHead said:

What about electricity, gas and water bills? Particularly if the property has smart meters these can provide some decent evidence of whether the property is occupied (although not about if it's furnished).

You want a discount. You've got to come up with at least some evidence. If it's not agreeing to the inspection, then try to provide something else, otherwise it does (from the council's point of view) look rather like you might be trying to pull a fast one. Balance of probabilities really isn't a high standard.

This is a possibility too - consumption has been zero, or as good as, whilst obviously the property has been unoccupied. Metre readings would evidence this to a sufficient degree. Thank you for the helpful suggestion. 

Meter readings may indicate no-one lives in the house, they won't prove it is not furnished

jonesMUFCforever

I'm surprised that the OP or fellow posters have not suggested making a video of the house - starting outside of course and a few seconds of each room to show they are empty.
The OP would still need to show this to the council and probably the best way would be in person at the council offices?

CIS

jonesMUFCforever said:

I'm surprised that the OP or fellow posters have not suggested making a video of the house - starting outside of course and a few seconds of each room to show they are empty.
The OP would still need to show this to the council and probably the best way would be in person at the council offices?

The problem with a video, like photos, is that dates cannot always be guaranteed. It's a trivial matter to adjust the date stamp on a photo/video. It would be up to the council whether they accepted it or not.

etienneg

CIS said:

jonesMUFCforever said:

I'm surprised that the OP or fellow posters have not suggested making a video of the house - starting outside of course and a few seconds of each room to show they are empty.
The OP would still need to show this to the council and probably the best way would be in person at the council offices?

The problem with a video, like photos, is that dates cannot always be guaranteed. It's a trivial matter to adjust the date stamp on a photo/video. It would be up to the council whether they accepted it or not.

And, of course, if the OP can go back to take a video he can just as well go back and let the assessor in to see it.

jonesMUFCforever

CIS said:

jonesMUFCforever said:

I'm surprised that the OP or fellow posters have not suggested making a video of the house - starting outside of course and a few seconds of each room to show they are empty.
The OP would still need to show this to the council and probably the best way would be in person at the council offices?

The problem with a video, like photos, is that dates cannot always be guaranteed. It's a trivial matter to adjust the date stamp on a photo/video. It would be up to the council whether they accepted it or not.

Take something with you which would have a date on - a newspaper?

lincroft1710

What the OP probably doesn't realise is that it is up to each council whether or not they give discount on unoccupied and  substantially unfurnished dwellings. My council does not. give a discount. Make things difficult for the council to ascertain if a dwelling qualifies and the council may well decide too much effort and cost is involved and withdraw the discount universally. 

CIS

jonesMUFCforever said:

CIS said:

jonesMUFCforever said:

I'm surprised that the OP or fellow posters have not suggested making a video of the house - starting outside of course and a few seconds of each room to show they are empty.
The OP would still need to show this to the council and probably the best way would be in person at the council offices?

The problem with a video, like photos, is that dates cannot always be guaranteed. It's a trivial matter to adjust the date stamp on a photo/video. It would be up to the council whether they accepted it or not.

Take something with you which would have a date on - a newspaper?

Which proves nothing more, at best, than the situation on that specific day at the specific moment in time.