Selling an empty property-better to furnish it?

[yawningbear]

We are currently re-decorating a two bed flat that has been rented out for the past three years. It has a couple of beds in it just now but not much else that is decent. I had been intending to move some nicer bits in to dress it but have just found out that if it is empty and unfurnished i get an exempion from council tax, if it is empty and furnished I still have to pay 90% of it. The flat itself is a very old listed building with tons of period features, working fireplaces etc. Question is would it be better to dress it properly or have it freshly decorated but empty? I think I know the answer but just wanted the wisdom of m'netters also!

[starrychime]

Oh definitely leave it empty! I would say a total waste of money to furnish it - I had been looking for a place recently and it's fine to have empty rooms IMO - you can imagine where to put all your bits etc. Also of course the council tax exemption as you mentioned.

[kitsmummy]

I kind of disagree with starrychime. If you could furnish it so it looked great (eg not any old thing in there just to "fill" it), I think a nicely furnished place looks much better than an empty one. I'd be tempted to furnish it for a couple of months at least, if nothing is happening after that, then perhaps empty again and save on the council tax.

[yawningbear]

Thank you both, I have been swaying between both your pov's. if we do furnish it it will be with nice bits that we have rather than just anything and I think it will ultimately look better. I am almost certain that the photos will be better if it is furnished, but it also has tons of character and charm that should speak for itself.

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Personally, I prefer to see a well furnished place. Empty rooms give the buyer no idea of how to use the rooms and always makes it easier to place your own furniture ...

Especially if it has been a rental property ...furniture can also hide things

[kittycat68]

unfurnished is the way to go here you can jazz it up with curtains flowers pictures etc. most rentals are unfurnished and showed unfurnished. it also looks more spacious and bigger if unfurnished ( used to rent out property) market is strong and if rent is reasonab;e wont hang around long also you just have to empty it again and store the furniture you bought waste of time and money TBH.

[Fizzylemonade]

I would say if you can have some furniture in for photos then do it but do make use of the 6 month council tax exemption.

I do find it mad that your council chose to charge a 90% empty charge. The councils are allowed to choose between a 75% - 90% charge for an empty property. Most councils chose the 75% charge as a single occupant would only pay 75% therefore meaning that some people are likely to say it is occupied when it isn't to pay a lesser charge. I used to work in council tax.

[yawningbear]

It is mad re: council tax, totally mad. Thanks for all the advice. I have decided to put some more furniture in it and dress it, which I had been looking forward to doing anyway as I know it can look gorgeous. If it doesn't sell quickly we can always then move the furniture out and get the exemption from the c tax. Fingers x for a buyer

[SoupDragon]

TBH, I woud have been tempted to try it unfurnished - it may go with no problem, thus saving you the effort of furnishing it and the council tax.

If there was no interest or the feedback mentioned the lack of furniture I'd faff about with furnishing it.