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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start a fire?

157 replies

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:10

Just received a shock, a letter telling me my council tax will now be £300 up from £87 due to the 100% 2nd property premium.

Supposedly the charge is to fund police, fire and NHS. Perhaps I'll ring up all three every month to get my money's worth.

On a serious note, my house is already rented out at cost (no profit). The only reason I have the extra house (and extra subsequent mortgage) is because my family members died. I am not willing to pass on this cost to my tenants. I've already cut my food spending to the bone, I honestly don't know what to do.

OP posts:
likelysuspect · 12/04/2026 18:48

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:44

Yes this is what people are getting at. What happens when the house is sold? Can op even afford to evict them? It doesn’t make much sense unfortunately.
We aren’t being arseholes just concerned for op and her tenants!

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Lots of properties are advertised as tenants in situ, not unusual at all.

likelysuspect · 12/04/2026 18:47

OP, problem solved, you'll pay the higher charge for the time that it stands empty. You wont be liable once the new tenants move in

MN hates landlords. They hate landlords because apparently they're greedy and rake in too much money. They will also hate on someone like you because you're not making a profit and therefore that proves you dont know what you're doing. They hate on landlords who might ask a question or be unclear about one thing and therefore decide it means you're utterly clueless and renting out an unsafe hovel breaking every law going and are a horrible person, they'll try to 'gotcha' by saying 'oh I thought you said you had tenants' when its clear that there is a short gap between tenants so while its obvious that its temporarily empty its also obvious why you would say 'I have tenants' and lastly, they'll say things like 'yeah just sell it' even though properties are spending months and months on the market.

JohnofWessex · 12/04/2026 18:46

There is a hirearchy of liability in Council Tax which says who pays it BUT basically the occupier is liable subject to various exceptions

Original poster
PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:45

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:41

That’s not what I am saying though is it? You haven’t got a clue what your doing, you have no money for any repairs that need doing. You could end up with massive fines op in the thousands… get either an agency to make sure you don’t end up with massive fines, or get online and educate yourself on being a landlord. Do you even know the new HMRC tax rules for landlords?

Edited
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Every MN thread reaches a point where the posters start writing fanfiction about the OP, which means I am going to be unwatching the thread. Thank you everyone who took the time to write a response and for informing me the 100% premium only applies to empty homes. Just because I didn't know about a BRAND NEW LAW THAT ONLY JUST CAME INTO EFFECT does not mean I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a landlord, (I have been a landlord for 3 years thank you very much), and I have a healthy savings pot and 3 jobs. Thank you all xxxx

OP posts:
SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:44

somanychristmaslights · 12/04/2026 18:43

I think what people are getting at Op is that are renting out the property all above board? Is it right you’re trying to sell the house but have new tenants about to move in?

Yes this is what people are getting at. What happens when the house is sold? Can op even afford to evict them? It doesn’t make much sense unfortunately.
We aren’t being arseholes just concerned for op and her tenants!

somanychristmaslights · 12/04/2026 18:43

I think what people are getting at Op is that are renting out the property all above board? Is it right you’re trying to sell the house but have new tenants about to move in?

Original poster
PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:42

I can actually afford to be a landlord. I am just extremely frugal and live every day as if I am going to lose my job the next day. I don't plan to live like this forever I will probably need therapy to fix my resource scarcity issues.

OP posts:
ComeOnPhilEarlySpringPlease · 12/04/2026 18:42

Oh lovey, I feel for you, I really do but renting out a property sucks.
You already owe Council Tax for April. They will reissue the bill.
I hope you had tenants until 31st March and I hope you did everything correctly or it will bite you in the arse.
If you did not protect previous tenants' deposit they can claim up to 3x back.
You have to put new tenants' deposit in a proper scheme. You have to have gas safety check. You should rent it unfurnished where you can. PAT testing for any fridge or washer (I sold mine for a fiver to my first tenants iirc).
Above all, you need Landlord's Insurance. I had burst pipes in the the first three years. Unexpected costs like that, and gutters and new doors. It can be a money pit.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 12/04/2026 18:41

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:40

Okay I'll go back in time and ask my DP not to kill himself in our house or magic up a buyer for my house. Thanks for the advice x

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That doesn’t stop you raising the rent OP. Raising the rent isn’t always an arsehole thing to do, and it’s a glaringly obvious thing to do when it’s new tenants anyway, although probably too late for that now
if they’ve already signed

Allisnotlost1 · 12/04/2026 18:41

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:38

I just read the renters right act in may 1st and all of the stuff that is now prohibited is something only nasty/arsehole landlords do anyway... I have never ever raised the rent on a tenant lmao

I really hope you pay more attention to your responsibilities than this. You’ve started a thread about starting a fire, you’re telling the council the place is tenanted when it isn’t, and by the sounds of it you’ve got no ready cash to pay for maintenance or repairs. There’s more than one way to be an arsehole landlord, and it doesn’t have to be deliberate.

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:41

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:40

Okay I'll go back in time and ask my DP not to kill himself in our house or magic up a buyer for my house. Thanks for the advice x

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That’s not what I am saying though is it? You haven’t got a clue what your doing, you have no money for any repairs that need doing. You could end up with massive fines op in the thousands… get either an agency to make sure you don’t end up with massive fines, or get online and educate yourself on being a landlord. Do you even know the new HMRC tax rules for landlords?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 12/04/2026 18:40

EasternStandard · 12/04/2026 18:39

No idea on council tax stuff but agree with pp if you’re really struggling sell the property.

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She said it’s been up for sale for 8 months so far

Original poster
PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:40

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:39

why not? You can’t afford food, yet your running at a loss? You shouldn’t be a landlord.

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Okay I'll go back in time and ask my DP not to kill himself in our house or magic up a buyer for my house. Thanks for the advice x

OP posts:
SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:39

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:38

They are moving in this month

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Then yes you need to pay aprils council tax.

EasternStandard · 12/04/2026 18:39

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:31

I have no choice, the house is mine whether I like it or not

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No idea on council tax stuff but agree with pp if you’re really struggling sell the property.

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:39

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:38

I just read the renters right act in may 1st and all of the stuff that is now prohibited is something only nasty/arsehole landlords do anyway... I have never ever raised the rent on a tenant lmao

why not? You can’t afford food, yet your running at a loss? You shouldn’t be a landlord.

Original poster
PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:38

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:36

But you just said it was empty waiting for new tenants?

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They are moving in this month

OP posts:
Original poster
PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:38

I just read the renters right act in may 1st and all of the stuff that is now prohibited is something only nasty/arsehole landlords do anyway... I have never ever raised the rent on a tenant lmao

OP posts:
GingerdeadMan · 12/04/2026 18:37

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:16

Are all renters now paying the double council tax?

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No, they pay the normal amount.

What are you on about?

exammadness · 12/04/2026 18:37

What do you mean ‘council tax included in bills?’. You are not responsible for paying any of your tenant’s council tax.

Allisnotlost1 · 12/04/2026 18:36

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:24

I never meant to be one, my DP died horrifically and I couldn't bear to be there anymore.

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Sorry to hear this. But now you are a landlord you need to understand your legal obligations. Is the property safe and decent (gas safety up to date, properly ventilated etc). Do you have the proper insurance, are you saving enough money from the rental to carry out maintenance and repairs when needed, and do you have suitable skills or contacts to do so. If not, you need to rectify that. It must be safe and appropriate for your tenants, both morally and legally.

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:36

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:34

I will call the council first thing tomorrow and let them know the place is tenanted with council tax included in bills. Thanks again xx

But you just said it was empty waiting for new tenants?

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 12/04/2026 18:35

ToKittyornottoKitty · 12/04/2026 18:34

There are more changes coming into affect from 1st May so do your research now so nothing else catches you out

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Yes like needing to send them the new renters right information from 1st May. Massive fine if you don’t.

BudgetBuster · 12/04/2026 18:35

PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:34

I will call the council first thing tomorrow and let them know the place is tenanted with council tax included in bills. Thanks again xx

But it's not currently tenanted...

Original poster
PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR · 12/04/2026 18:34

I will call the council first thing tomorrow and let them know the place is tenanted with council tax included in bills. Thanks again xx

OP posts: