council tax

[tamborine]

do you have to pay when a property is empty due to repairs needed, (central heating system), cant afford repairs just yet.

[Hazel104]

If it is uninhabitable due to needing the repairs you are exempt for 12 months. If it is just a lack of heating, but the system is safe I’m not sure if this is deemed uninhabitable.

If it is empty and unfurnished you are exempt for 6 months.

[buildersmate]

No, the first scenario presented does not constitute 'uninhabitable'. There are clear guidelines about what building work does - structural repairs in one of them - loss of CH isn't.
So it is 6 months maximum.

[Mr Veritas]

I agree with BM,
that from tamborine's description the house is not "uninhabitable" but merely empty.
So a maximum of 6 months exemption from Council Tax would be allowed.
Council's have strict guidelines for the definition of "uninhabitable",but if you are not sure ring your local council and ask them.

[buildersmate]

Bizarrely I happened to find out a little more today from another enquiry I was making.
After the 6 months is up (as an Exemption) you may be able to get another period of 6 months with a discount of 50% of the full amount - if the house is unoccupied AND empty of furniture.
An exemption is something built into the laws by which Council tax is charged. A discount is not - which I think means that councils are not necessarily obliged to honour it. Mine does.

[brenda]

Spot on builder, had that with my late Uncle's Property in Lancashire.