Granny annexe tax

nerdbird1980

My mother died before we completed building a separate dwelling granny annexe for her. We are still to put in a kitchen and bathroom in it. If we do put a kitchen and bathroom in it, would we be charged 2 separate council taxes? Or we were thinking not to put a kitchen in it, and have it as a games/gym room with a bedroom and bathroom. If we do that, would still be charged for 2 separate council taxes? Basically, I'm asking how should we use it now but making sure we avoid that 2nd additional council tax? 

lincroft1710

If you install a kitchen and bathroom, it will attract a second CT band, omit the kitchen it will not

BikingBud

lincroft1710 said:

If you install a kitchen and bathroom, it will attract a second CT band, omit the kitchen it will not

Simple to say but when does a room become a kitchen?

When you install a sink?

Does a laundry room with a large sink constitute a kitchen?

Does a small worktop cooker constitute a kitchen?

Does a slot in cooker constitute a kitchen?

Does an installed cooker constitute a kitchen?

What about a fridge? Some kitchens don't have fridges they are in a separate pantry.

Same with a bathroom,  is it a toilet and a sink and a bath? Where does a shower fit in here? As a downstairs shower or even wet room are reasonable to ensure the dirty areas are isolated downstairs, especially washing dogs.

It would interesting to see where the line is drawn.

jennifernil

I would say a kitchen has to have a sink and a cooker top, or a designated place to install a freestanding cooker.
A sink alone is not enough.

A bathroom alone, even with a bath or shower, is not enough to enable separate living, you need to have kitchen facilities.

lincroft1710

BikingBud said:

lincroft1710 said:

If you install a kitchen and bathroom, it will attract a second CT band, omit the kitchen it will not

Simple to say but when does a room become a kitchen?

When you install a sink?

Does a laundry room with a large sink constitute a kitchen?

Does a small worktop cooker constitute a kitchen?

Does a slot in cooker constitute a kitchen?

Does an installed cooker constitute a kitchen?

What about a fridge? Some kitchens don't have fridges they are in a separate pantry.

Same with a bathroom,  is it a toilet and a sink and a bath? Where does a shower fit in here? As a downstairs shower or even wet room are reasonable to ensure the dirty areas are isolated downstairs, especially washing dogs.

It would interesting to see where the line is drawn.

The guidance issued by the VOA is that to qualify for separate banding, there should be room for sleeping/living, facilities for washing, and for the preparation of food plus a WC. There does not have to be a shower or bath. There does not have to be an actual "kitchen". Each case is judged on its merits and relationship (or more usually lack of) between the occupier of the annex and main house may be taken into account. No mention of facilities for washing dogs!


When I was in the VOA I was getting annex queries every 2 weeks and to be honest they were a pain in the rear end