When can you move into a new build?

[satans worm]

After a year and a half building our house we moved in about 2 months ago, thing is, its not quite complete, no internal doors, ensuite not finished, not had the air pressure test and the driveway not complete (no 'wheelchair friendly' top surface).

So building control cannot (and have not) sign off on the property.

We left our council tax direct debit paying from our previous property (rented)hoping to keep under the radar until we have signed off however we have just received a letter from the council requesting details of where we have moved to (I assume new renters have move in and notified them).

Due to financial constaints we dont think we will be finished for another 4 months or so, so the question is, do we swerve the council letters for that time or advise them we have moved in before buildng control has signed off, in which case, does anyone know what will happen?

Thanks

Edited by satans worm on Sunday 31st May 20:39

[FourWheelDrift]

Put "living with parents" and don't use the lights at night

[northwest monkey]

The council tax dept won't speak to the building control dept so if you tell them you've moved in they'll just send you a bill. It's not worth trying to avoid paying to be honest - they will pursue you to the ends of the earth & leave you with a bad credit rating & a massive bill.

[satans worm]

The thing is it has not been issued a band rating, which I assume is done after sign off?
I'm not trying to avoid paying, just not sure if I am allowed to move in yet??

[Chrisgr31]

If you tell the Council you have moved in then they will ask the Valuation Officer to come and place it in a Band. If the Valuation Officer agrees that it is not habitable he will report that to the Cuncil who will probably serve a Completion Notice on you, which will give you x number of weeks to complete. If you ignore that completion notice then at the end of x weeks the VO will assess the property for Council Tax as though it is complete (even if it isnt!).

So if you believe it cannot be completed in the time given you have to appeal the completion notice and persuade the local authority to give you longer to complete the job. If you can't you have the option of arguing your case in front of a Valuation Tribunal which comprises 3 lay people who will hear representations from you and the Council and then determine a completion date. Sounds difficult but as long as you are honest which them they will tend to be sympathetic to you.

[satans worm]

Chrisgr31 said:

If you tell the Council you have moved in then they will ask the Valuation Officer to come and place it in a Band. If the Valuation Officer agrees that it is not habitable he will report that to the Cuncil who will probably serve a Completion Notice on you, which will give you x number of weeks to complete. If you ignore that completion notice then at the end of x weeks the VO will assess the property for Council Tax as though it is complete (even if it isnt!).

So if you believe it cannot be completed in the time given you have to appeal the completion notice and persuade the local authority to give you longer to complete the job. If you can't you have the option of arguing your case in front of a Valuation Tribunal which comprises 3 lay people who will hear representations from you and the Council and then determine a completion date. Sounds difficult but as long as you are honest which them they will tend to be sympathetic to you.

That doesnt sound too bad, was just worried they would try and kick you out if you move in before sign off.

In that case we will happily respond, will be interesting getting it valued!