Paying council tax on empty house.

[Poj McDodge]

We recently bought a property at auction and managed to get it upto standard and tenanted in about a six weeks. Our local authority is insisting we pay the council tax for this period because the house has already had its six month exemption period because it was left empty by the previous owners. We thought we would get another exemption period from the date of completion. We have bought three other properties in similar circumstances and took a lot longer to do them up and get tenanted or sold and have not been charged for the first six months.

Does anyone know if this is right?

Or have you been caught out like this?

Any ammunition I can use is much appreciated.

Poj

[Ericthelobster]

These things are local-council dependent I think; however yours sound like the same rules which mine operate; ie it's not unusual.

I think your only hope may be if you can argue a different 'class' of vacancy, which is what I managed in a similar situation (I think!).

In my area, "Class A" vacancy is for an uninhabitable property which is being substantially revamped; ie no water/kitchen/electric, that sort of thing, which is a 100% exemption for up to 12 months I think. "Class C" vacancy is the other main one for me, which is for an uninhabited, but unfurnished property, which gives you 100% off for up to 6 months.

Maybe if the property was a Class C vacancy before you bought it, you might be able to wangle Class A for the period you were doing it up, however the council would normally expect to inspect it so you'll have trouble doing it retrospectively. Anyway, you need to scrutinise your council's rules and regs carefully!

[ourlol]

My own experience (also Liverpool) is this. I bought a property that had stood vacant for over 3 years (during which time I assume no council tax had been paid or at worse 50%). When I purchased it - the house required substantial refurbishment (the walls were green with damp, needed new floors/ceilings, new bathroom, kitchen, rewiring, replumbing, central heating etc. etc.). When I spoke to the Council they gave me exemption for a maximum period of 6 months or until a time when the house was deemed suitable for occupation. I think they said that after 6 months I would have to pay 50%. They said that during the time the property was being overhauled someone might come and inspect the property to verify my claims on the work involved. No-one came to my knowledge, but I had nothing to hide either... the house was genuinely in a dire condition. We completed the work in about 4 months by which time my tenants were ready to move in. At this point in theory I became liable for council tax (although I don't actually pay it now as my tenants are all students).

Laura