Empty house - council tax?

[Jettagti]

Ok, myself and the other half have just bought our first house. We exchange contracts on Fiday, should have the keys this coming Friday.
The house was a repossession, the question I have is to do with council tax. We dont intend on actually physically moving in for another month, but do we need to pay council tax on the property even though we wont be living there?

If not, do we have to do anything to ensure we dont get into trouble with the council, should we advise them that we wont be living there?

[eldar]

The house needs to be empty, no furniture, usually. Different councils have different rules, so phone them and check. Should be fairly straightforward.

[Wings]

My local rating authority allows a 100% allowance for a property both uninhabitable or let to students, the same allowance for a 6 months period for a property either void of occupants and furniture, and 50% allowance with furniture.

[Jettagti]

Bugger, we were looking into the possibility of leaving the furniture we have bought in the house until we want to move in, as its currently cluttering up relatives houses and garages. We want to decorate the whole house before we move in, do you think if we told the council we will not be living there, but will be in there quite a bit cleaning and decorating, that it will make a difference?

Do we just contact the local concils housing department?

[Gareth79]

You are normally allowed up to three items, but it varies by council.

One snag is that for some councils if the house has been exempt for some time already then the ownership doesn't restart the clock, but you will find this out obviously.

[Simpo Two]

Ring them up and ask. I found my Council astonishly competent and efficient on the matter!

[Wings]

Simpo Two said:

Ring them up and ask. I found my Council astonishly competent and efficient on the matter!

No, No, No, ring them up and TELL the council, that although you have just purchased the property you will be not moving into the property until........, let the council make the assumption the property is empty. The council only inspect where a property is claimed to be uninhabitable.

[Simpo Two]

'We're not moving in until (date) - do we have to pay Council Tax?'



If it's based on facts then asking and telling are the same thing

[scdan4]

If the house is officially uninhabitable then you wont have to pay even if there is furniture there.

Are you replacing the bathroom or kitchen - if so get them to inspect (my lot insisted on inspection for uninhabitableness) as you rip it out. Form will be filled in and you will be exempt for up to 6 months, which is way longer than you say you need.

[Zebrano]

I have just done this myself. Called the council up after we completed on the new house, they sent a very moody and grumpy lady around to check on us as we told them we are gutting the house. She made a few notes about us fitting a new kitchen and boiler and no furniture as thats all in the garage, also had a look around and left. 3 days later we got a letter saying we are now a class C exemption until we move into the new house.

All we have to do is call them up when we move in. Nice and easy despite her being moody as hell.

[Simpo Two]

scdan4 said:

If the house is officially uninhabitable then you wont have to pay even if there is furniture there.

It's not uninhabitable. If you pretend it is, they will turn up to inspect it and then you're stuffed.

[scdan4]

Simpo Two said:

scdan4 said:

If the house is officially uninhabitable then you wont have to pay even if there is furniture there.

It's not uninhabitable. If you pretend it is, they will turn up to inspect it and then you're stuffed.

which is why i asked about the kitchen and bathroom. No kitchen and bathroom = officially uninhabitable (and unmortgageable apparently). They will inspect at prearranged time - the lot in Malvern were friendly and ameanable. If only a 1 month exemption is being looked for, then there is no problem.

[Jettagti]

scdan4 said:

which is why i asked about the kitchen and bathroom. No kitchen and bathroom = officially uninhabitable (and unmortgageable apparently). They will inspect at prearranged time - the lot in Malvern were friendly and ameanable. If only a 1 month exemption is being looked for, then there is no problem.

no chaps, the house isnt uninhabitable, its complete, and in theory, we could move in when we have the keys, but we want to re-decorate, fit new appliances, fix garage door etc. We wont be moving in until the middle to end of march, for convienience and to help with finances really.
I shall give them a call tomorrow

[Wings]

Simpo Two said:

'We're not moving in until (date) - do we have to pay Council Tax?'



If it's based on facts then asking and telling are the same thing

No asking is not the same as telling/informing the Council that although one tohas purchased a property, one will not be moving into that property until a date, believe me council's are chasing every amount of revenue they can get hold off. It is therefore important that the OP mentions no reasons why he is not moving immediately into the property.

[twiglove]

Put all the furniture out of site (upstairs etc) then tell them it is unfurnished and you wont have to pay CT.

[Webber3]

I've got a 6 month exemption on a property I bought. The place has been gutted and is waiting on planning permission. That was 3 months ago and nobody has been around to inspect it yet.