Landlords are reminded that as from this week, local authorities now have the discretion to charge full Council Tax on empty properties.
The change affect properties that until now have been given automatic exemptions and discounts, including furnished and unfurnished properties for rent. Owners of properties that are empty because of building work will also lose the automatic right to be let off Council Tax for up to a year. Many councils have decided to charge the full amount from day one.
These are the exact changes:
1. Exemption class C (properties that are empty and unfurnished for up to six months) has been
abolished and each council can decide whether to award a local discount in its place.
2. Councils can decide to charge an additional premium of up to 50% on homes that have been
empty and unfurnished for two years or more.
3. Exemption class A (properties requiring or undergoing major repairs for up to 12 months) has
been abolished and each council can decide whether to award a local discount in its place.
4. The minimum discount that councils can give for furnished homes that are no one’s ‘sole or main residence’ – i.e. second homes and unoccupied furnished lets – has been reduced from 10% to 0%.
Local councils vary in their approach. For example, some are charging full Council Tax from day one, while others are allowing a short ‘grace’ period of perhaps a month and then either levying full Council Tax or a proportion of it for the next five months.
Belvoir Lettings Sheffield is the One Stop Specialist for Lettings including Property Management, Tenant Find, Investment and Wealth Management Advice, Fit-outs and Renovations, Furniture Packs and Investment Property Insurances and Mortgages.
For more information, please 0114 276 0462 call . Alternatively, please email us at sheffield@belvoirlettings.com
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