Council Tax

Seems correct. Just because you dont like the decorations or otherwise choose not to live there is your choice. Otherwise, presumably you'd apply for a discount if you went on holiday for 2 weeks! If its your second home there may be a discount.

The law says if the property is 'substantially unfurnished', then you can get exemption from council tax for up to 6 months. The previous occupier would have contacted the council about their moving, so you are legally liable to pay CT from the completion date, unless you get an exemption. Contact them and let them know, and they'll write to you with a exemption certificate. Inform them when you finally move in.

Alec

"Li@m" wrote

I think you might get a 50% discount - not free - why don't you check with your council??

i think up here in scotland you can get up to a year if the property is lying empty - i think the duration and level of discount varies from council to council

You don't have to pay council tax if the house is deemed unfit for occupation by law, if it is under reconstruction (for a maximum of 12 months) or unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (for a maximum of 6 months).

No, it's 6 months here as well. The 100% discount applies if "unoccupied and unfurnished", and is limited to 6 months since last occupied. Thereafter, unoccupied premises only get 50% discount. Hmm, I suppose you could move in for a day, then out again to qualify for a fresh 6 month period....

Thanks for all the info, appreciated.

Liam

You get (I think) a 50% discount if the house is unoccupied. Somewhat to my surprise I've successfully claimed the discount twice for something like 6 weeks each time with no hassle.

fyi the relevant legislation is here

Daytona

I worked abroad for a few years, moving back for a couple of months each summer. The council gave me 100% discount for the first 6 months then 50% discount for the rest of the time. I told them the situation and I presume they calculated that this brought in more money than charging the full tax while I was back in the property followed by another 6 months with 100% discount. While I was away I had to declare the property as being unfurnished.

Going through this EXACT same hting at the moment. I phoned them up, told them that I had a 1 month overlap between giving notice on my current rented accomodation and moving 'properly' into the new place, and that I was decorating the new one during that time. He said I was NOT liable to pay for both for the month, and to call them back when I move in to the new one. I'll then start paying CT on that and cease paying on the old one - so NO overlap.