Council Tax??

jalowes2002

Just a quickie

Am about to exchange tomorrow on a property that has not depended on the sale of our current house which we intend to live in until we have sold. Does anyone know if you still have to pay council tax if you are not living in the property??

Thanks in advance.

rchddap1

My advice would be to give your local council a quick call and see what they say. That way you'll get it straight from the horse's mouth so to speak.

jalowes2002

Good idea! Why hadnt I thought of that??

Altarf

If it is unoccupied and unfurnished, then usualy it is exempt from council tax for 6 months, then a 50% discount, but it depends on the local council.

sleepy

I work at my local councils c/tax customer advice centre and I can confirm what Altarf said. So long as the property has had someone living in the property for at least 6 weeks (so not if it has been empty for a long time - then it will already have had it's 6 month exemption), there is nothing to pay for 6 months then a 50% charge. It is still important to let the council know that you've taken over the property and that it is empty and UNFURNISHED (must be unfurnished for the exemption).

jalowes2002

Thanks very much for that its very helpful. Will contact the local offices.