When is council tax payable on empty properties

We'll send you a notice stating the date from which we consider the property should be treated as substantially completed. This change may cause you some financial pressures, and we may be able to assist you with advice and guidance about returning your property to use. We can advise on selling, bringing it up to a habitable standard to occupy yourself, or putting it onto the rental market.

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Your property may be entitled to a council tax discount if it's empty because it's undergoing major works. For more information visit our properties undergoing major works page. You can tell us that a property is unoccupied and unfurnished, by reporting it using our Council tax enquiry form:.

Unoccupied and unfurnished property notification. For help on bringing an empty back to use visit Support to sell, rent and repair an empty property. You can check if you can pay less council tax.

The council can charge you an 'empty homes premium' if your home is empty and unfurnished for 2 years or more - you pay this on top of your council tax. It doesn't matter if you furnish or occupy the home for short periods in those years. The council will consider the home empty until you furnish and occupy it for more than 6 weeks in a row. If your property is already exempt from council tax, you won't be charged the empty homes premium.

You also won't be charged the premium if your property is:. Council tax bills should be sent out in April. You have the right to ask to pay in 12 instalments instead.

Local councils might accept weekly or fortnightly payments. Some might also offer a reduction in the total bill if it is paid all at once, at the beginning of the year. You should read our advice about dealing with Council Tax arrears. You will need to provide evidence to prove that your council tax band is wrong - you can find out what evidence you need on GOV.

If the VOA agrees to review your band they will write to you, usually within 2 months, to let you know their decision. You can find out how to challenge your council tax band on GOV. Where a band is deleted and the structural alterations are completed, the property will then be banded as a new property, reflecting all extensions and improvements.

The new band may be higher than the one which was deleted. If you disagree with the VOA's decision on your challenge you can appeal to an independent valuation tribunal. You must write to your local authority with your complaint. The local authority should send you a reply within 2 months. If they do not agree with you, you can appeal against their decision to the valuation tribunal. The valuation tribunal is an independent body. Usually 3 members will hear an appeal and a clerk advises on law and procedure.

When they get your letter, the valuation tribunal will acknowledge it and send you information about the procedure. If you find it hard to understand English, the valuation tribunal can provide an interpreter. They can also arrange to meet other needs if you are disabled - for example, if you have mobility problems or need special equipment. In all cases the valuation tribunal will consider all the information about the particular case and will decide what should happen. You can get more information about the valuation tribunal from their website.