Empty properties

I have moved to a new address but have not yet sold my old property, can I apply for any reduction?

If the property you have left is unfurnished you may be able to claim an exemption for up to six months (An exemption means that there is no charge), after six months you will be liable for 100% of the charge on that property.

If the property remains furnished you will be liable for 90% charge from the date you left until the property is sold or becomes occupied.

What will I have to pay if I buy a second home?

If you have a second home or holiday home you will be entitled to claim a 10% discount providing that no one is living there.

If someone is living in the property and they are over 18 years old they will be liable for council tax.Council tax will remain payable at the property regardless of your sole or main residence but you will be liable for a 90% charge if the property is your second home.

If I owned a property and decided to rent it to a tenant, who would be responsible for the council tax?

If the owner lives in the property being rented they will remain liable for the council tax. If the owner does not live in the property the tenant will become liable for the tax until their lease/rental agreement ends.

Once the tenant has left and the lease/rental agreement has ended, the owner becomes liable for council tax.

If it remains furnished then a 90% charge will apply. If the property is unfurnished then an exemption will apply for the first six months and then a 100% charge will apply. For houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) the owner remains responsible for Council Tax.

My property is in need of structural repairs and is uninhabitable, will I be entitled to any reduction?

You may be entitled to an exemption for up to 12 months providing the property is in need of major structural repairs and the property is unoccupied and unfurnished. 

Please contact us to arrange an inspection to allow the exemption to start as soon as works start.  If you do not contact us at this point you will need to supply evidence such as a builder’s schedule of works or surveyors report showing what repairs are required to render the property habitable. The length of time an exemption can be awarded is dependent on the type of repairs required to make the property habitable.

We can only award a maximum of 12 months exemption in these cases, then a 100% charge is due for the property.