slurms mackenzie Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Simple story, i moved between two rental properties and there was an overlap (in the contracts) of 10 days. Once i could move into my new place i slept there every night. Manchester city council want to charge me 10 days worth of council tax on the other property with a 50% empty discount even though i wasn't technically living there. Can they do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChumpusRex Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 This is how council tax works. The person "responsible" for the property must pay the council tax for as long as they are responsible for the property (whether they are actively living there or not). A tenancy agreement makes the tenant responsible for the property as their home. Once the tenancy expires, the landlord can take over the council tax. Just thank yourself lucky that you get a 50% discount, for not living there. Most councils now only give a 10% discount for not living there. So, if like me, you rented a place on your own, and got a 25% discount - for the tail end of the tenancy, when the property was empty, you actually have to pay more council tax than when you were actually living there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slurms mackenzie Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 Damn! Cheers for the reply I'd read a bit about it, and so was really just waiting for some real world experience, as a lot of the info out there is all theoretical, for example if there was no furniture i think i could have got away without paying anything, but as there was still a bed and a sofa, I'd have to pay. It's only fifteen pounds, so not so bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eos Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I had an overlap too and the council tax clerk told me that i just have to declare the unslept-in property vacant. Call and explain that you had vacated the property in question and tell them where you were living for those days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamdamosuzuki Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 This happened to me, but it was a fulll month. Easily refunded when I phoned the helpline. No big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19 year mortgage 8itch Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 We told Trafford the place was not lived in and they let us off too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonb Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Simple story, i moved between two rental properties and there was an overlap (in the contracts) of 10 days. Once i could move into my new place i slept there every night. Manchester city council want to charge me 10 days worth of council tax on the other property with a 50% empty discount even though i wasn't technically living there. Can they do that? Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) In our local authority you are exempt council tax for up to 6 months on a second (or vacated first) property. I believe it has to be empty, but then if you've moved it will be. You should get your money back. And they can easily join up the dots to your new address. Edited October 4, 2011 by redwing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebbedee Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 As redwing says, you can get an exemption for the time it is unoccupied up to a max of 6 months, the link doesn't explain it clearly but phone up the council tell them it was unoccupied and that you were living at x and want an exemption http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/tax_index_ew/council_tax.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChumpusRex Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 (edited) As redwing says, you can get an exemption for the time it is unoccupied up to a max of 6 months, the link doesn't explain it clearly but phone up the council tell them it was unoccupied and that you were living at x and want an exemption http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/tax_index_ew/council_tax.htm You can only get this exemption if the property is unfurnished (if a bed frame is present, then the property is regarded as furnished). Some councils, depending on how short of cash they are, will insist on a visit to inspect the property before allowing you to claim the "100% discount". Edited October 5, 2011 by ChumpusRex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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