Just what is "unfurnished" for council tax?

[davidpstock]

I'm selling the house my parents have willed to me, it is 200 miles away so not exactly easy to get to on a regular basis. The council will give a 6 month exemption on the council tax if unfurnished. Just how empty does it need to be? I don't want to put off potential buyers though by having it looking abandoned, would like to have a bit of a homely feel to it.

[Cliftonite]

It is likely that each Council has its own definition of 'unfurnished' rather than it being inscribed in Law.

Have you had a look at the Council's web site? Or asked them?

[davidpstock]

[quote=Cliftonite]

Have you had a look at the Council's web site? Or asked them?
quote]

Nothing on web site, I'll ring them.

[paulwoof]

It will vary by local authority and even then they probably don't have anything in writing.

In our council White goods are allowable to remain in the property. This came about due to situations where fixed appliances obviously couldn't be removed so all white goods became allowed.

Nobody is realistically going to check so as long as someone is not blatantly still living in the property or a fully furnished living room can be seen from the street. I wouldn't stress about leaving the odd piece here or there.

[drainbrain]

davidpstock said:

I'm selling the house my parents have willed to me,

If you're implying it's part of an estate, there may well be an exemption for that.

Her's Glasgow's:

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17...

[ICallCustard]

You would think no one would check but they did with mine.

As said if the living room/room that is viewable from the street is pretty much clear than it should be ok.

[Dan_M5]

You're lucky! i only get 1 month off if the property is unfurnished!

[davidpstock]

drainbrain said:

If you're implying it's part of an estate, there may well be an exemption for that.

Her's Glasgow's:

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17...

It's different in Scotland for some reason-like a few other things!

[superlightr]

Dan_M5 said:

You're lucky! i only get 1 month off if the property is unfurnished!

you lucky lucky person. its 0 months here.

[paulwoof]

check your local authorities website, It should have a portal explaining all of its legislation, In scotland so much can be discretionary at your at the will of the council although seems fairly consistent across authorities in comparison to england.

Untill the property transfers into your name it will go into an an "executors of ....." account. This should be applicable for exemption while there is no grant of confirmation made on the estate then once Grant of confirmation is made there may be a final period of exemption or until property tranfers name which ever comes first.

Exemption for unoccupied properties in most scottish authorities are time based from the date the property became unoccupied and this doesnt reset when you become the liable party, So the clock starts ticking the day your relative passes away. Usually 6/12 months maximum. Then the lovely SNP goverment brought in the long term empty premium. This is a 200% rate of council tax if the property is unoccupied over 12 months. Designed to stop people leaving empty properties and bring them back into use. Realistically it just punishes the wrong people who have no choice.