I've just bought my first home, get the keys on the 26th, and I'm not planning to move in until I've replaced the kitchen and decorated the downstairs (trust me - it needs it!!!), should be about a month or so. I've heard that if your not livinng at an address you can claim a reduction on the council tax until you actually move to the address. Is this true? , and how do I go about doing it.
There are exemptions and discounts for unoccupied property, but they are narrowing all the time. Best place to look is your local authority's web site. May not be worth it for just the one month, especially if you only qualify for a 10% discount and not full exemption!
We got an exemption whilst our house was unoccupied due to relocation. I don't think all councils do it, but if yours does, the house will need to be both uninhabited and unfurnished to be eligible.
Originally posted by Celia Fate: I don't think all councils do it, but if yours does, the house will need to be both uninhabited and unfurnished to be eligible.
Leebez, not sure this is definitely right - we got 50% off the second council tax for our 2-week period of overlap and the council never asked about furniture. Check with your council - for ours it only had to be uninhabited.
Our house was unoccupied for 6 months while we worked on, but was furnished for about half of that. We received around a 50% discount for the 6 months, although I think it would have been more again if the house wasn't furnished for part of the time.
