When honesty isn’t the best policy
Discussion
My daughter bought a flat. It needed a full renovation which I said I’d do, and it’s been uninhabitable during that time (no kitchen/bathriom/heating).
She was a full time student when she bought it, so qualified for £0 council tax. However rather than make a false declaration she was living there and eligible for the rebate, as I’m honest I called the council and said it would be uninhabited during the works. At which point they said tough titty, not inhabited so no rebate so full council tax due. They didn’t even give me a months grace as it was uninhabited during the conveyancing.
The works have been more extensive than anticipated so have taken 7 months so far.
Today I got a letter from the council stating it’s been uninhabited for 2 years now so a 100% surcharge is due. They’re not interested that 17 of those 24 months must have been by the previous owner and out of our control. Presumably the flat sat on the market for a long time because of the state it was in.
So: dishonesty = 0% council tax
Honesty = 200% council tax
F*ckers.
She was a full time student when she bought it, so qualified for £0 council tax. However rather than make a false declaration she was living there and eligible for the rebate, as I’m honest I called the council and said it would be uninhabited during the works. At which point they said tough titty, not inhabited so no rebate so full council tax due. They didn’t even give me a months grace as it was uninhabited during the conveyancing.
The works have been more extensive than anticipated so have taken 7 months so far.
Today I got a letter from the council stating it’s been uninhabited for 2 years now so a 100% surcharge is due. They’re not interested that 17 of those 24 months must have been by the previous owner and out of our control. Presumably the flat sat on the market for a long time because of the state it was in.
So: dishonesty = 0% council tax
Honesty = 200% council tax
F*ckers.
PhilboSE said:
My daughter bought a flat. It needed a full renovation which I said I’d do, and it’s been uninhabitable during that time (no kitchen/bathriom/heating).
She was a full time student when she bought it, so qualified for £0 council tax. However rather than make a false declaration she was living there and eligible for the rebate, as I’m honest I called the council and said it would be uninhabited during the works. At which point they said tough titty, not inhabited so no rebate so full council tax due. They didn’t even give me a months grace as it was uninhabited during the conveyancing.
The works have been more extensive than anticipated so have taken 7 months so far.
Today I got a letter from the council stating it’s been uninhabited for 2 years now so a 100% surcharge is due. They’re not interested that 17 of those 24 months must have been by the previous owner and out of our control. Presumably the flat sat on the market for a long time because of the state it was in.
So: dishonesty = 0% council tax
Honesty = 200% council tax
F*ckers.
Your fShe was a full time student when she bought it, so qualified for £0 council tax. However rather than make a false declaration she was living there and eligible for the rebate, as I’m honest I called the council and said it would be uninhabited during the works. At which point they said tough titty, not inhabited so no rebate so full council tax due. They didn’t even give me a months grace as it was uninhabited during the conveyancing.
The works have been more extensive than anticipated so have taken 7 months so far.
Today I got a letter from the council stating it’s been uninhabited for 2 years now so a 100% surcharge is due. They’re not interested that 17 of those 24 months must have been by the previous owner and out of our control. Presumably the flat sat on the market for a long time because of the state it was in.
So: dishonesty = 0% council tax
Honesty = 200% council tax
F*ckers.
k up was the highlighted bit and the council are right with their charges. If you'd told them it was uninhabitable like you've told us, then you'd have a different outcome.Rough101 said:
You’ve cocked that up, you don’t pay it until the works are done and it’s habitable, get on to them.
Blue62 said:
Surely if the property is uninhabitable no tax is due?
r3g in a particularly PH abrasive OP-blaming way said:
Your fk up was the highlighted bit and the council are right with their charges. If you'd told them it was uninhabitable like you've told us, then you'd have a different outcome.
Unfortunately...k up was the highlighted bit and the council are right with their charges. If you'd told them it was uninhabitable like you've told us, then you'd have a different outcome.UK Government rules on council tax
Basically, it's local Council discretion on "empty property" or "refurbished" property discount, unless it's derelict. Derelict means "would need major structural works to make it wind and watertight".
I did speak to the council, told them it was uninhabitable, they said tough titty, our policy is no discount, only if it's derelict.
PhilboSE said:
PabloEscortCar said:
Give them a date she is 'moving in' next week and claim the 25% discount
Change of status to inhabited will be accompanied by a council inspection to confirm...Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff