UK Landlord Forum / Life

Ok so I had a council tax bill covering a period of 4 weeks between tenants.  The council has always previously exempted me because it was unfurnished and also uninhabitable (due to a fire refurb) on the previous empty periods.  It is now partially furnished. 

I wrote to the council and advised that the property was empty and could they exempt it but they have written to me saying they have it listed as furnished and unless I want to go to valuation tribunal and provide them with evidence that it wasn't fully furnished whilst it was empty I have to pay a month's council tax.  (Not sure exactly what evidence I can provide to be honest)

They've told me that they do a 10% discount for empty properties.  However, I know they do a 25% discount for single people.  This doesn't make any sense whatsoever!

Questions I have are:

• How on earth have they arrived at a discount of 10% for empty properties and 25% for single people?
• Is there any point in me bothering to appeal this or should I just put up with it?
• What on earth does 'substantially unfurnished' mean?

hi landlady,
what the council have done is now make you pay 90% of the CT while ompty because they don't want empty houses lying around, as you rightly say it's 75% for a single person in a property. i found myself in the same position as you, they brought that rule out in april 2011 before that it was 50% it's just another rip off from the council.

The way I understand it, the moment it's no longer unfurnished you're liable for council tax as landlord of an empty property. Otherwise you can get exempt for up to 6 months. That's why I don't offer any furniture. It's too much hassle, tax writedown etc notwithstsanding.

-Armin