Static Caravan While Renovating Property

[Fishcake26]

Hi, wondering if anyone can give a bit of advice please?
We have bought a property that is uninhabitable with a view to renovating To eventually live in.
While the work is being carried out (by my husband who is a builder) we propose to live in a static caravan within the decent sized garden.
The static will be hand built on site, the chassis underneath will have the wheels taken off to get it as low as possible so as I can access it in a wheelchair.
Husband Wants to build wall around the bottom of the chassis to prevent wind/draught.
Has anyone got views as to whether the council will allow this?
TIA

[albaqwerty]

My gut reaction is the council will look on it as a permament structure due to the removal of wheels and the building of a wall and charge council tax accordingly.
Give them a phone first and get their outlook on it.

[Fishcake26]

Albaquerty thanks for your reply. We are paying full council tax on the property we are intending to renovate.

[bednobs]

Hi Fishcake, the planning depts at most councils are very helpful - why not just make a phonecall?

[albaqwerty]

I'm probably wrong (I often am !!) but surely you shouldn't be paying full council tax on a property that is currently uninhabitable?
I'd hate to think of you paying council tax for 2 'properties' although one would only be temporary whilst the home is being renovated.

[MargoTester]

http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Benefits_and_Council_Tax/Council_Tax/Council_Tax_FAQs/Web_CT_FAQs_Exemptions.aspx

This may help

[The Builder]

I've done this many times, Fishy, with caravans. I've also built temporary sheds to live in on site ...... no wheels involved.

To be honest, I wouldn't even contact the Planning Dept. They just need the money, so they may even ask you to apply for some kind of temporary permission. I've never bothered with that. There's no need. As long as you're working on a major re-build, it's fine.

I think I'm right in saying that an uninhabitable house requires only 50% of the Council Tax to be paid; but it may only be for a maximum of 12 months. Check out the council's website to confirm.

Good luck to you both.

[The Builder]

................. sorry, I missed Margo's link above. That should tell you everything.

[Fishcake26]

Thanks for the help.
The local council are rather unhelpful so I try not to contact them if at all possible!
I have already had 12 months 100% council tax rebate so I am now paying full. I understand that if the property remains unlived in and unfurnished for 2 years I will pay 150%.
The delay has been due to initially applying for planning to rebuild the bungalow which has been twice refused so have now given up and decided to renovate instead.
Council have said I am OK to have a static on site to live in while renovating. My concerns are more to do with the proposed static not having wheels.
Thanks again

[Old_Geezer]

Well Alba, I own a property that its presently uninhabitable, and the evil council demand extra for having supplied me with less service. Apparently this bullying of decent citizens is ok because the bigger bullies at Westminster said it was ok.

[retrocop]

Does anyone know if it differs under Scottish Law. B.I.L is struggling to sell his mums flat in Peebles. She will be dead 2 yrs this May. Her kids are now sharing the full council tax since death out of own savings.?

[murraymints]

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/counciltax/Secondhomes

[Tuvok]

I remember watching Kevin McLeod (Grand Designs) where he built a shed/caravan - in the program he mentioned that due to planning he had to leave the wheels on, so he just dug a hole and sunk the wheels into the gound.

The next series saw him take it on tour!

[retrocop]

Minty
Thanks for the Scottish C/T link. Most helpful and appreciated.xxx

[EDDIE51]

I see lots of static caravans with the wheels left on and a ramp for wheelchair access , is this not a possibility?.