UK Landlord Forum / Life

I spoke to my local Council tax department today with a query regarding the new rules on Council taxation on empty property.
I need to replace the wall dividing 2 bedfdrooms that was  removed by the previous owner.. I was happy to learn that its classed as an essential repair for habitation as my "potential" new tenant has a boy and a girl and ithe property is classed as non habital until alterations have been completed. I will get a 25% discount until repairs have been completed or tenant moves in whichever is the soonest. As Council's have power to decide what they wish to charge landlords on empty property council tax I would advise that you contact your local Council Tax offices to get an update fpor your area

Yup, they all changed a little while ago.  Only in this crazy world can a landlord get charged 100% for an empty property yet if there we 1 person in it there would be a 25% discount.

What really annoys me is that DHSS in rented property pay next to nothing and they breed like rats! So how can the Councils justify charging 100% for an empty house and next to nothing for a high occupancy home!  Its a giant rip off and when i rang the C T offices they told me that it was to encourage landlords to keep their properties occupied!!!  ??  In actual fact i see this as a means of frightening landlords into filling their houses quickly with drop outs and Drug addicts to escape having to pay around £100 a month...in other words the people who are on the Council house waiting lists but are unable to get housing due to the shortage. The Council worker I spoke top also went on about the high number of property laying vacant fgor years..  and when I suggested they targewt those landlords specifically rather than rip of property owners who are doing the job rtight and making everything in their power happen to find suitable tenants .. The council simpy didnt want to know !!!!!!

My local Council (Reigate and Banstead) seem to have more sense than most - they allow landlords up to 28 days a year for void periods (100% discount).  That seems perfectly fair to me. 

Sorry to hear that other Councils are being so unreasonable...

Mendip council gave me 100% discount for empty and unfurnished during a recent void.

I agree that councils should charge for long term empty property. 100% after 6 months, 200% after 24 months etc.

I wish Barnsley Council would follow Mendip Councils example by allowing 100% discount. for a six month duration which has  been the norm for as long as I can remember. The landlords here are spitting feathers at being charged for their empty property from day one. We are easy targets and there doesnt appear to be a lot we can do about it. Landlords are now pressured into accepting poor quality tenants or face paying out £100 for each month of nil occupancy. Its hardly a fair policy given the credit checks, work checks and previous landlord references which all take time  AFTER a potential tenant has been found.   our Council informed me that the new rulinmg was to "encourage" Landlords to gfind new tenants but refused to accept proof that I was doing everything possible and exempt me from being charged ... its little more than a rip off !!

I am not sure really.

I do agree however that there is a North South Divide on this. 3 Bed in Liverpool £350 pcm Rent £100 CT, Reading £1000 pcm Rent £110 CT.. or nearly that, it's not great, but at the end of the day, your Void is costly, best way to avoid is get good people, NEVER rush and offer to poor tenants to save £100, that is frankly madness.

YEP...

I HAD THIS LAST YEAR.....in the past the council gave me 25% discount as a single occupant, yet to get a discount for an un-rented/ vacant property i was informed that all furniture had to be removed.

End of the day the council have the last say, and you have to play by there rules, period. During this summer i renovated the property during the vacant period and and got a discount for that period, yet with a lot of un-needed drama.

My advice is tell the council asap when your rental circumstances change, such as vacant or renovation.

From experience,i found out the hard way,  i didn't inform the council that the property was vacant as soon as i moved in, last year and i bit me hard. When i found out when the new tenants where about to move in that all my mail from the council had been redirected by the previous tenant without my knowledge and my council tax was unpaid for the period i was in the property, hence got a court summons. Was not happy, yet my f... up.

They did remove the summons and fine and gave me the discount for the renovation period after i went in and explained the foul up. Which of course ultimately was my responsibility to address, so BIG lesson learn't.