Council tax - Great our LA are withdrawing 50% discounted vacant property allowance on inhabitable listed house

[bitterandtwisted349]

Because they dont have enough properties to rent in the locality.

Now we are going to have to pay x2 properties on one tiny property. Living on a farm we have little options open. The huge house needs a lot of work and taring us with the brush that this could be used in the locality rental market is ludicrous. And no I dont want a low cost loan as we already have x3 of these 2 of which are big mortgages.

Just another reason why renovation is so costly and unrewarding in this country. There are days when I look at it and want to bulldoze it down!

Wonder if there is anyway of appealing against this?

Are you sure it counts as inhabitable? If it needs a lot of work, could you argue it's currently not?

I sympathise. We are selling our listed building because we want to relocate. People keep saying "oh, why don't you rent it out?", completely failing to understand that renting it out would be more hassle than it's worth. It is certainly habitable, but the number of threads I see on here where people who are renting get worried about (tiny things for us) like damp and condensation makes me realise that it's a non-starter.

Good luck. You could appeal on the basis that it is not inhabitable but I'm not sure where that would leave you in terms of your listing - as I think we have a duty to keep the property in good condition or words to that effect.

I think its undervalued as its not habitable (no stairs, no windows in some) so it is slightly discounted. Then instead of no council tax the LA charge me 50% less - why? No people, no services really none of their business really. I am going to appeal in some sort because with paying x2 council tax say its going to be £3,500 plus pa means less money to spend on the listed building refit. I'm tamping as a listed building under renovation should be zero rated as its in the councils interest for us to get it back to how the conservation officer bangs on about every expensive detail.

I was told that a house with no toilet was considered to be uninhabitable, so you could remove and not pay the council tax? Not sure if that's true in all areas but we were trying to sell ours so not really an option in our case. I would appeal if you don't have windows, doesn't sound habitable to me!

I don't want to worry you but many local authorities have started charging an additional 50% empty property premium on empty properties meaning the owner has to pay 150% council tax

You need to take advice on whether you can get it reassessed as part of the business rates valuation of the rest of the farm. Speak to the valuation office to see if you can get it merged into the main assessment

In my area long term empties are now charged at 200%! Pretty scary if you've just inherited a deceased property that had already used up all the exemption allowance and needs a complete refurb.

Anyho, if your property is not wind and watertight you can apply for exemption ie no windows, damaged roof etc. There are two potential options - Altered and Repaired, this has max 12 month exemption or uninhabitable where a demolition order or unfit for habitation order has been awarded which lasts until the property is fixed or demolished. Worth checking with your LA to see what your options are.