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Original poster

Old council still charges us council tax after we moved away

21 replies

abc989 · 09/07/2024 10:03

I just received a council tax bill from my old council. I moved to my current home in the end of May this year and informed both councils. My old house is up for sale since March but still not sold. My new council wanted me to pay the tax since March (completion) and my old council wants me to carry on paying even I don’t live there anymore. How can they do this? Isn’t it unfair that I have to pay two council taxes till the old house is sold. I don’t have two homes. Only one at any point. Can someone advise on this please? Thanks.

OP posts:
HaddawayAndShite · 09/07/2024 10:11

Yes you pay council tax on property you own, even if it is empty. You will also be charged additional tax should the empty period extend over a certain time, depending on where the house is. I'm surprised a home owner doesn't know this.

AutumnFroglets · 09/07/2024 10:18

You might not have two homes but you do have two houses. Some councils used to let you pay 50% on an empty property but I'm not sure anymore as councils are purposely trying to make it hard for people to have empty homes during a housing crisis. Contact your old council and see if you can get a reduction whilst it's up for sale.

You might need to chivvy your EA or drop the price otherwise council, drainage and insurance fees will eat into your profit quite quickly. It is still insured?

WiseBiscuit · 09/07/2024 10:20

You are liable until it is sold. Pay it, council tax is not something you want to owe.

I have to pay it on my BTL when it is empty. You can’t plead poverty if you can afford to move without selling first.

Changingplace · 09/07/2024 10:21

I think that’s correct that you are still responsible for the council tax on the property- are you entitled to a discount as it’s empty? Check with the council team direct, but you don’t just not pay it because you’re not living there.

Info here;

www.gov.uk/council-tax/second-homes-and-empty-properties

ByCupidStunt · 09/07/2024 10:21

Yes it's standard procedure I'm afraid.

I agree with dropping the price. Every £200k invested in a building society brings in £670 every month so it's not always worth holding on for a higher price.

Brainded · 09/07/2024 10:33

Of course you have to pay @abc989 you still own the old house…surely you should know that!!

YouveGotAFastCar · 09/07/2024 10:35

Unfortunately, you do have two homes, and you will until the first one sells. You'll be liable for council tax on it until it does.

Some councils offer a couple of free months for an uninhabited property, but most don't.

AlohaRose · 09/07/2024 10:36

You owe council tax on all the properties that you own, regardless of whether you are living in them or not. Hopefully you have also kept insurance in place on the old property as that is also necessary. You probably also need to inform the insurance company that the property is now empty as that will likely affect the premiums or validity of the policy. Are you struggling to sell the property? Can you do anything to speed up the sale?

DogInATent · 09/07/2024 10:38

You can apply for an empty home discount. But whether you can get one or not varies between local authorities.

But yes, you clearly own two homes.

ByCupidStunt · 09/07/2024 10:40

So every month it doesn't sell costs you £670 in lost interest plus £200 council tax. That's for a standard £200k house. Nearly £900 every month.

How much are you selling it for and how much did you pay for it.

AlisonDonut · 09/07/2024 10:40

You do kind of need to confirm if you own the old house or not.

CaptainMyCaptain · 09/07/2024 10:40

HaddawayAndShite · 09/07/2024 10:11

Yes you pay council tax on property you own, even if it is empty. You will also be charged additional tax should the empty period extend over a certain time, depending on where the house is. I'm surprised a home owner doesn't know this.

This.

Original poster
abc989 · 09/07/2024 10:41

thanks for all your advice. I want to sell ASAP but the market is not good at the moment.

OP posts:
DogInATent · 09/07/2024 10:41

AlisonDonut · 09/07/2024 10:40

You do kind of need to confirm if you own the old house or not.

Edited

If they don't, then selling it would be fraud.

FriendlyNeighbourhoodAccountant · 09/07/2024 10:42

Some councils charge double for empty properties after a certain period of time, so it's worth checking if yours is one of those councils as that can come as a shock.

Overthebow · 09/07/2024 10:42

Yes that’s normal, you do have two houses so you pay twice.

ByCupidStunt · 09/07/2024 10:43

abc989 · 09/07/2024 10:41

thanks for all your advice. I want to sell ASAP but the market is not good at the moment.

The market doesn't need to be good, just the price of the property

titchy · 09/07/2024 10:46

abc989 · 09/07/2024 10:41

thanks for all your advice. I want to sell ASAP but the market is not good at the moment.

Then you need to reduce the price. Or take it off the market and live there. Assume you're renting currently?

ThistleWitch · 09/07/2024 12:20

abc989 · 09/07/2024 10:41

thanks for all your advice. I want to sell ASAP but the market is not good at the moment.

You do have 2 homes

You need to drop the price - you could post the link and people will help advise what you need to do

CuppeDramad · 09/07/2024 12:37

Post a link to your for sale house, you can name change to do it, post it on Property/DIY board and we can see if we can help you get it sold. It might be we see something you don't. And I did do this with my own house when mine was for sale to get honest opinions from MN. Terrifying but helpful.

Does the previous property council know your property is empty? Just so you know council tax is a hereditament, 50% property and 50% people based on 2 adults living there. Originally second homes were charged at 50% but this was bad to tourist areas where councils were not pulling in as much money to fund their services. It was then decided they could charge what they wanted. Some councils chose 75% others 90%, the 90% charge saw people lie about having a tenant in the property then only a 75% charge would be levied. I used to work in council tax. University towns are also hard hit as students are exempt from council tax.

Mercurial123 · 09/07/2024 12:37

The property is in your name, so you are still liable to make the payment. I'm surprised you thought you could get away with it.

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