Hi
I have a couple of estates where the Councils are adding between 100-200% as an empty premium additional charge on their Council Tax bills. The properties are taking time to sell through no fault of the Executor, and the prices have been reduced in line with agents’ advice.
Anyone in a similar situation had any luck with appealing the additional charge?
Thank you for any comments/advice.
Michelle
My local authority has the same charges but state that if the property is being actively marketed the 200% does not apply.
Thanks Victoria. Did you have to argue it?
Unfortunately the councils I’m dealing with are disregarding this.
You should be eligible to claim an exemption for 1 year only from the Council Tax empty premium after the 1 year probate exemption period if you can provide proof that the property is empty of furniture ( dated photographs) and a letter from the Estate Agent stating when they took the property on, with a copy of the Rightmove listing.
Unfortunately, the Council will try all sorts of excuses or just ignore you and then get a Magistrates Court Liability Order.
So I go into the Council’s Council Tax counter with the evidence and when they try to fob me off, I demand to speak to a Supervisor and ask them to produce a letter whilst I wait, in order that I can then appeal their formal decision.
They then go and speak to a Manager, who then says yes as they know that the Council would fail on Appeal if the evidence supports the claim.
I have had lots of these situations this year and with Second Homes charges of up to 300% of normal council tax.
They are praying on the vulnerable to make up shortfalls because they are not being properly resourced. Estates are easy prey and most people just give in.
Thanks Mark. Yes, it’s when the property is not selling after years that these charges seem to appear. I have tried appealing previously, showing how the property has been marketed but the appeal was refused… and with no explanation.
300%!