Council Tax charged on previously repossessed property

[JK0]

What do you make of this, guys?

I bought a repossessed flat from Northern Rock on 27th April 2010, and asked the Council for empty property relief while I renovated it. (It wasn't uninhabitable, just filthy and trashed.)

The council have come back saying that because the previous owner moved out 31st October 2009, I have to pay full council tax from 1st May onwards. ( I pointed out that repossessed properties have a class L 100% discount, but they say this doesn't stop the clock regarding the class C discount.)

Are they correct? This is scandalous. Anyone else have this problem, or know a solution?

[property mongrel]

All the Councils I have spoken to about this matter give the same response. I had a similar issue and cross checked with 3 other Councils, all gave the same response.

They will only give up to 6 months "empty" allowance, nil charge. Then they all go to either 100% charge or single occupancy discounted rate.

But they will give a zero rate if you move in for 6 weeks and pay full rate or whatever rate is appropriate, as a further exempted rate is then allowed.

If you manage to get round this please let me know, as my problem involved an occupant resident that lied and claimed he was not living there although he was, and I was penalised.

pm

[Tipper]

We got an initial 6 months followed by another 6 months due to the roof being retiled and no bathrooms during the refurbishment and conversion to flats.

Didn't have argue just advised status of the building and it was offered after the first 6 months.

[JK0]

Well, yesterday I got the results of my appeal: Dismissed.

Makes you feel proud to be British, doesn't it.