Council tax. No more house on the plot.

[Sexual Chocolate]

A while back I bought a uninhabitable shack (5 room bungalow) on a very nice plot of land. We finally go the planning permission and work started on it. Its now a pile of rubble. However we got a demand, neigh a court summons for the full years council tax on it. I phoned our council and told them its just a plot of land now but they are insisting that I still have to pay council tax on it. Are they correct?

[marshalla]

I think it would be exempt, but you could always appeal against the banding and see what happens when they come round to inspect

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Yourl...

[Sexual Chocolate]

That would be fun.

I saw this...

Council tax people said:

There are limits on how long empty homes won't be charged Council Tax:

•homes undergoing major repair work or structural changes (eg rebuilding walls and floors) are exempt for up to 12 months.

I can only presume this is what they are refering to.

[sleep envy]

The last property I fully refurbished I had the option of the 12 month exemption or a 50% discount until the point at which it would be habitable. I took the 50% discount and agreed with the council a series of dates for inspection - once every six months.

Depends entirely on your programme however if you sequence your works correctly (i.e. installing sanitaryware as late as possible) you can influence the discount in your favour.

[Eric Mc]

Is this not a "tax" issue and better placed in the "finance" section?

[Happy Jim]

Each council has different (or none) discounts available for those that ask...

I did a refub/rebuild and got 12 Months free (uninhabitable) followed by 50% discount until occupied.

But if you didn't inform them when you took ownership of the property then you will be liable for the Council Tax.

Rgds

Jim

[surveyor]

They are correct - to a limit.

However the house is no longer a residential dwelling and you should make a proposal to remove the property from the rating list.

Appeal here - http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0

I'd also try calling to speak to someone, to see if they can speed things up - it's a pretty cut and dried position.

You will need to pay or make an arrangement to pay in the meantime.

PS

This is all very basic advice, that the rates department should be able to give. Not to do so is just obstructive, and I would put in a formal complaint.

Edited by surveyor on Thursday 7th June 14:33

[Chrisgr31]

surveyor said:

They are correct - to a limit.

However the house is no longer a residential dwelling and you should make a proposal to remove the property from the rating list.

Appeal here - http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0

I'd also try calling to speak to someone, to see if they can speed things up - it's a pretty cut and dried position.

You will need to pay or make an arrangement to pay in the meantime.

PS

This is all very basic advice, that the rates department should be able to give. Not to do so is just obstructive, and I would put in a formal complaint.

Edited by surveyor on Thursday 7th June 14:33

The OP could do that but he might want to be careful as its likely to come back in at a higher band if he is building something larger and better. Might be better paying up and picking up a flag that the banding needs reviewing but not encouraging it until a qualifying transaction (ie he sells it) happens.