Just found out that I have to pay council tax on an empty, unfurnished property

Isn't this down to new legislation brought in by the current government rather than a labour policy? I understand each individual council can set the discounts and benefits they offer, but they've been given the power by the government to collect these taxes. With the squeeze on local councils due to the government's austerity measures, they're hardly going to turn down the opportunity to raise more funds. Can't see it being much of a vote loser either. People with multiple homes have to pay more tax. The average man in the street who has lost his job and had to find one paying much less and is now struggling to pay the bills on his one house isn't going to have much sympathy with that.

Not that I begrudge anyone who has done well for themselves and you've every right to make your point.

 

I lost my job twice under the last Labour government and came within a month of losing my house the second time around, so I know exactly how the average man in the street feels in those circumstances, because I am that man.

I'm not after sympathy just raising a point. And I haven't done that well for myself. I work hard and do OK in return. Nothing more.

 

Wasn't having a go at you or suggesting you were after sympathy. Apologies if it came across that way.

 

No worries - it's partly my fault for posting a semi-serious point whilst casting a worm of political WUMage. Not cool. Not really my usual style either.

 

According to Citizens Advice, he should be exempt if he's moved to a care home.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/tax_e/tax_council_tax_ew/council_tax.htm

 

They are only doing as they are told...

 

I bought my flat in May last year an didnt move in until about November, i contacted the council numerous times to tell them and they didnt respond, they send me threats saying i had to pay my bill or else i would be sentenced to court. I rung them over the phone and they said i had fill out a form, which i had filled out about 5 times and returned to them.

I finally got a letter saying i owe them £600+ because i hadnt paid it, i told them i hadnt been in the house 2 month (this was January when they sent it) and they said because it had been empty before you bought it for longer than 6 month i would have to pay tax on a flat that i didnt even owe at the time plus the 5-6 month i had been in it in full. So no discount fee because i was on my own or anything, but once i had paid it i would then get the 25% discount fee.

how does this work... surely if i wasnt living in it or even owning the place i shouldnt have to pay tax on it.... ****ing **** am telling you.

it stopped me going to away matches did that bloody bill

 

Just like The Don..

 

Thanks for that. I have loads of stuff to sort out for him, my head is spinning at the minute.

However, I think the rules may have changed this tax year. I have spoken to two people at bmbc (including a benefits advisor), both said he has to pay. If / when I have more time, I'll have another go at them.

 

And the Nazis.

 

You know it

 

It's on gov.uk web site, so looks like it's still current.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/second-homes-and-empty-properties

last updated 30 May 2013

 

You might have to pay the C Tax for the time you owned the flat, but I am 99.9% certain that you do/did not have to pay for the time you didn't. Otherwise I could stop paying mine now, sell my house in six months time and let the new owner pay what I owe...

I'm not sure on the exact legal steps, but you might want to put a formal complaint in if you have paid it for a time when you were not the owner.

 

I think the whole point is we have a massive housing shortage in this country and therefore we need to discourage anyone from leaving houses empty, whether that's taking years to do it up or only living in it for part of the year.

 

Mine was on the rental market from 1st May until I recently decided to rennovate and move in myself due to lack of interest (not one enquiry). Can't be that much of a shortage around Barnsley based on that.

 

I am glad that is in jest, as the last bloke on here to level that one at me is still looking for his head.

 

Barnsley seems to be a strange place for renting...