Council tax - getting a house condemned
Discussion
Sooo... we have a house that is 'uninhabitable' - it has a 2" crack between front and rear extensions, severe subsidence and rot. The upstairs floors would not withstand a decent jump and none of the interior doors can be moved as they've all jammed where they are. We can only get in through the back door. Whilst we've been building a new house to replace it though, we've used it to store our stuff - the roof is essentially watertight, even if the walls are pretty wonky and some rooms are off limit. It still has electricity, cold water (only - I 'borrowed' some pipe for something else) and the phone connection to the new house runs through it.
Of course in these difficult times, our council has decided that as it's a house, even uninhabited, we clearly could be providing accommodation to the needy so we must pay full council tax.
Ouch.
So, how do we declare it 'not a house'? If we get it condemned (how do we do that?) does that do the job, and does it have any additional consequences? It's probably going to be a few more months before we can empty all the stuff out of it into our shiny new abode, and I really don't feel that we should be paying council tax on a building that is not fit for habitation.
Of course in these difficult times, our council has decided that as it's a house, even uninhabited, we clearly could be providing accommodation to the needy so we must pay full council tax.
Ouch.
So, how do we declare it 'not a house'? If we get it condemned (how do we do that?) does that do the job, and does it have any additional consequences? It's probably going to be a few more months before we can empty all the stuff out of it into our shiny new abode, and I really don't feel that we should be paying council tax on a building that is not fit for habitation.
i just rang the local office told them i had bought an uninhabitable house. they were very helpful and said ok we'll send the inspector to look if it is we will give you a year to sort it out.
the next day the inspector called me. i explained the situation that i would be doing a full renovation and not living there he said well you need to remove either the bathroom or kitchen to be eligable or the 12 months off and how long would i need to remove them for the inspection.
2 weeks later no kitchen or bathroom he comes round and says "yeah lots of work to do hear ill give you the full 12months tax free. if you get it done sooner just let us no ok."
he was there 5 mins top.
this was just before christmas
the next day the inspector called me. i explained the situation that i would be doing a full renovation and not living there he said well you need to remove either the bathroom or kitchen to be eligable or the 12 months off and how long would i need to remove them for the inspection.
2 weeks later no kitchen or bathroom he comes round and says "yeah lots of work to do hear ill give you the full 12months tax free. if you get it done sooner just let us no ok."
he was there 5 mins top.
this was just before christmas
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