Council Tax Class A Exemption Scrapped

Hyper · 5 Apr 2013 at 16:16

Hi All,

I am currently renovating my first house before I move in, I bought the property back in July 2012 and was given 12 months council tax exemption because major work was being carried out and the property was inhabitable.

So I was exempt until July this year which gave me just enough time to finish the work and get moved in. Now from the 1st April the exemption has been scrapped and I have to pay 100% council tax even though I am not living there.

I accepted this so rang the council to see about 25% single person discount since I own the property and plan on being the only person living there once the work has finished. I am told I have to pay 100% until I move in then they can give me the 25% discount.

So I am left paying more council tax now than if i was living in the property, it makes no sense!

Its tempting just to say I am moving in now and want the 25% discount.

Has anyone else been faced with the same problem as me or does it change between each local council?

Thanks, Sam

atpbx · 5 Apr 2013 at 16:19

If its your only house, tell them you live there, you don't actually have to be in it.

Hyper · 5 Apr 2013 at 16:21

I dont own any other properties, currently living with my grandma while the work is carried out.

DaleTheWhale · 5 Apr 2013 at 16:24

Its tempting just to say I am moving in now and want the 25% discount.

Make's sense!

meths · 5 Apr 2013 at 16:24

As above. Just tell them you're moving in today and contact the local electoral registration office to put yourself on the voters roll at your new address.

They won't check.

Muffin` · 5 Apr 2013 at 16:40

Seems to be a policy of encouraging housing occupancy; it hurts people like yourself and landlords who are renovating. It's sly but not the end of the world, council pensions have to be paid for somehow.

borich_planner · 5 Apr 2013 at 17:22

Meths said:
As above. Just tell them you're moving in today and contact the local electoral registration office to put yourself on the voters roll at your new address.

They won't check.

Your wrong they have been checking on these new claims and doing visits. Be careful

beamer · 5 Apr 2013 at 18:28

Playing devil's advocate ... Housing in this country is in critically short supply for a variety of reasons including people owning / renting more than they need and outbidding those in desperate need. With that in mind I think it right that the subsidy is removed. Either you or your grandma have (through renting or buying) more of a limited resource than you need.

Meridian · 5 Apr 2013 at 23:04

I'm in a similar situation. I've moved from Cambridgeshire to Manchester for a job. I'm selling the house in Cambs, but as is often the case, the sale has stalled. Before this rule change on the 1st of April the local council gave me a six month exemption as the house was empty. Now I pay full whack, even though no-one lives in it, and I don't even live in the county. And I really am trying to sell it. Better yet, as with the OP I lose my single person discount. So I pay more to not live in it than live in it.