My home is uninhabitable
My Empty Property is Uninhabitable. Do I Have To Pay Council Tax?
If your property is unoccupied and unfurnished, you will generally be entitled to an exemption from Council Tax of up to 6 months.
If you own a vacant property that is in need of major repair works to make it habitable, you may be entitled to an exemption of up to 12 months (see below – When Does My Exemption Start?).
What are Major Repair Works?
Many vacant properties have work done prior to the new occupier moving in. Many people decorate, refit a bathroom suite or kitchen into their new home before they move in. If this is the type of work you are doing to your property, you will generally be allowed an exemption of up to 6 months. This is not classed as major repair work.
In some cases, properties need more work doing to them before anyone can live there. This will include major structural repair work, or major structural alterations.
The Council will decide if you are entitled to a 12 months exemption, and in making this decision, will take into consideration the danger to a person if they were to live in the property without such works being carried out.
How Do I Qualify?
If you are to complete your repairs and occupy the property within your 6-month exempt period, there will be no reason to apply for the ‘uninhabitable’ exemption.
To qualify for the 12 months exemption your property must either be;
- in need of major repair works, (claim form 1) or
- have major repair works currently being carried out, (claim form 1) or
- had major repair works completed (claim form 2).
To claim the 12 months exemption, you must complete the attached claim form and provide documentary evidence of the works needed. The sort of evidence we will need are copies of surveys and reports, photographs and quotes from builders. If you have already completed the work, you can provide receipts from builders with your claim.
You are more likely to make a successful claim if you inform the Council Tax office before you complete your repairs.
An inspector will contact you to arrange a visit to the property, or to ask for further information or evidence.
When Does My Exemption Start?
An exemption period (either up to 6 months or 12 months) can only be granted once. The exempt period will start from the first day the property becomes unoccupied and unfurnished.
If you are intending to purchase a property that is in need of major repair work, you may wish to check with the Council Tax office to see if an exemption has already been granted.
If you purchase an already vacant property that is currently exempt, you will be entitled to the remainder of the exempt period.
What Happens at the end of the exempt period?
All Council Tax exemptions stop from the date a property is occupied, but if your property is unoccupied when the exemption expires, you will be charged full Council Tax until the property is either sold or occupied.
This rate will apply even if you have not completed the repair works. You will not be entitled to a further exempt period.
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Downloads
Complete this claim form if your property is in need of major repairs, or is currently being repaired. (pdf file 24KB) (23.8 KB)
Complete this claim form if your property has had major repairs, but they are now complete. (pdf file 24KB) (23.8 KB)
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