Council tax - empty property as I cannot move.

Kjmnicholass

I’ll begin my explaining my situation - I was wondering if any of you could shed any information on my unusual situation.

I was due to relocate 5hrs within the UK for a new job starting 01.02.21 - and as such, I secured a rental property beginning ~2 weeks before my start date to allow me time to settle in and give me leeway regarding the logistics with moving! However, in light of the current lockdown, I will be working remotely for the first month - as such - I will not relocate until I am permitted into the office for many reasons (logistics moving so far during a pandemic are difficult, and I can’t imagine moving to a new city during a lockdown would be much fun).

For this reason, I will begin my tenancy as already planned but my move will be delayed and I won’t pick my keys up for at least another 6 weeks. As such, the property will remain empty. 

My estate agent advised me that I am not liable to pay the council tax until I physically move in (pick the keys up and move furniture in) - however I am struggling to clarify this with information online. Another query - the local council advised me that I am not eligible for single person discount until I physically move in... is this the case, and if so, is there potential to claim back council tax? 

I obviously understand these are unusual circumstances but every penny helps at the moment as I have been out of work since July and obviously am paying my rent and potentially council tax in advance of starting my new position.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated! TIA. 

p00hsticks

I can confirm that you can only get the single person discount if there is a single non-exempt person living in the property, not if it's empty.

I'm not sure when the liability for council tax would start though.....

Kjmnicholass

Thank you for your response

Jeremy535897

Kjmnicholass said:

I’ll begin my explaining my situation - I was wondering if any of you could shed any information on my unusual situation.

I was due to relocate 5hrs within the UK for a new job starting 01.02.21 - and as such, I secured a rental property beginning ~2 weeks before my start date to allow me time to settle in and give me leeway regarding the logistics with moving! However, in light of the current lockdown, I will be working remotely for the first month - as such - I will not relocate until I am permitted into the office for many reasons (logistics moving so far during a pandemic are difficult, and I can’t imagine moving to a new city during a lockdown would be much fun).

For this reason, I will begin my tenancy as already planned but my move will be delayed and I won’t pick my keys up for at least another 6 weeks. As such, the property will remain empty. 

My estate agent advised me that I am not liable to pay the council tax until I physically move in (pick the keys up and move furniture in) - however I am struggling to clarify this with information online. Another query - the local council advised me that I am not eligible for single person discount until I physically move in... is this the case, and if so, is there potential to claim back council tax? 

I obviously understand these are unusual circumstances but every penny helps at the moment as I have been out of work since July and obviously am paying my rent and potentially council tax in advance of starting my new position.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated! TIA. 

I think it depends on whether the property is "substantially unfurnished", and even then some councils will charge. I don't think not having the keys helps as presumably you could remedy that.

Kjmnicholass

Jeremy535897 said:

Kjmnicholass said:

I’ll begin my explaining my situation - I was wondering if any of you could shed any information on my unusual situation.

I was due to relocate 5hrs within the UK for a new job starting 01.02.21 - and as such, I secured a rental property beginning ~2 weeks before my start date to allow me time to settle in and give me leeway regarding the logistics with moving! However, in light of the current lockdown, I will be working remotely for the first month - as such - I will not relocate until I am permitted into the office for many reasons (logistics moving so far during a pandemic are difficult, and I can’t imagine moving to a new city during a lockdown would be much fun).

For this reason, I will begin my tenancy as already planned but my move will be delayed and I won’t pick my keys up for at least another 6 weeks. As such, the property will remain empty. 

My estate agent advised me that I am not liable to pay the council tax until I physically move in (pick the keys up and move furniture in) - however I am struggling to clarify this with information online. Another query - the local council advised me that I am not eligible for single person discount until I physically move in... is this the case, and if so, is there potential to claim back council tax? 

I obviously understand these are unusual circumstances but every penny helps at the moment as I have been out of work since July and obviously am paying my rent and potentially council tax in advance of starting my new position.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated! TIA. 

I think it depends on whether the property is "substantially unfurnished", and even then some councils will charge. I don't think not having the keys helps as presumably you could remedy that.

Thanks Jeremy - the property will remain entirely unfurnished until I am able to make the move. I guess it is a case of checking with the local council to see what their protocols are...

mattyprice4004

You need to check with the council, I had the keys for 8 weeks and Sefton Council wouldn't do a thing. Full rate, sadly

ElizabethRose

Look at your local council as it varies now. Where I am you liable from the day you buy or rent the property with no discount for single persons until you move in. It was one of the reasons I lived in my house whilst renovating rather than renting a room.

PRAISETHESUN

When I moved out of my old place, I had a bit of overlap where I was responsible for two properties. I told the council the day I moved out of the first property but since my lease was still active, I was still liable for CT. They ended up charging me a separate "unfurnished" rate for the period after I had moved out and until my lease ended - not sure if that included single person discount. The second property was full rate (with single person discount) from the date I moved in. You'll need to check with your council how they do things, but in either case you won't be responsible for the property until the move in date specified in your tenancy agreement. Whether the property is furnished or not on that date is an entirely different problem.

GrumpyDil

There is a priority order for council tax liability which means you will be liable for the council tax from the start date of the tenancy, irrespective of whether or not you move in.
As regards what that rate will be that depends upon the local authority. Some used to allow a period of time where a property is unfurnished with a discount of 100% but that is now discretionary and in my county has long stopped being available. 

lincroft1710

A person becomes liable for paying CT on a dwelling from the day their tenancy commences, or the day they become the owner or physically occupy (where there is no tenancy) . Single Person Discount is not given if a dwelling is unoccupied or is a second home. Council Tax legislation gives councils the right to charge from 0% to 100% of the CT amount usually payable where a dwelling is unoccupied and up to 200% if it remains unoccupied for more than 2 years.

The rules are different in Scotland.

nyermen

Glad others mentioned the liability for all the tenancy.
The rate they charge is another matter and is dependent on authority.  In Rushmoor (Hampshire) I was given 0% rate until I moved in - but their definition was no furniture in the house.  Im told they do check, I am quite sure someone popped past and checked through the window that the front room was empty.  It will depend on your local authority.  and maybe if its furnished...