handling Dad's affairs, please can you give advice

[Rainbow]

Hi Frank
I have been a bit of research for you and have found that the following are exempt from council tax
Vacant properties:-

Requiring major repairs/structural alterations are exempt for a maximum twelve months
Owned by a charity are exempt for up to six months
Empty and unfurnished are exempt for up to six months
Empty due to person being in prison
Empty due to person having gone to live in a care home
Council Tax payer deceased
Occupation prohibited by law
Dwelling held for a minister of religion
Person living elsewhere to receive care
Person living elsewhere to provide personal care
Dwelling left empty by a student studying elsewhere
Mortgagee in possession
Annexe which may not be let separately from another property without a breach of planning control
Waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (and for a further six months after the relevant date)
So I would suggest meeting with CAB urgently and putting in that claim for Council Tax Benefit backdate you have to have a valid reason why you didn't claim and in your dad's case that would be because he is ill, and or didn't know he could claim - Good Luck

[Soulgrowth]

Hi Rainbow

This is really interesting. I wonder whether it also applies to commercial properties? My daughter was told by the council that if when she vacated the shop premises if she were to remove all possible fixtures and fittings that did not cause actual damage to the property then it would classed unfit for trading and therefore council tax would not be payable on it.

My intuition however in my case is to pay the money they say I owe as the Council are a bit like the Gestapo ... indeed, my IP intimated this also!

It might be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for you though Frank [:)]

Debbie

[MelanieGiles]

I do not think that this will apply to commercial properties Debbie, but worth looking into nevertheless.

[Soulgrowth]

I thought it might be the case Melanie ... although my daughter was told this by the council. I feel a bit like Paul McCartney ... I'm going to pay it to shut them up!!!

Debbie

[Rainbow]

Hi Debbie

Found this for business rates:-
If your premises are empty please contact the Business Rates section as you may be entitled to a 3 month void period followed by a 50% reduction in your business rates bill.
There are some premises which are exempt from paying empty property business rates of 50%. These are:

Premises used for industrial purposes such as factories, workshops, premises used for storage, mills, quarries and warehouses.
Premises with a rateable value of £2199 or less
Premises prohibited by law
Premises whose ratepayer has gone bankrupt or into liquidation
Premises whose ratepayer was subject to a winding up order
Premises subject to a preservation order
Premises which are uninhabitable
Hope it helps
Rainbow

[Soulgrowth]

Thanks Rainbow ... they have charged me a reduced rate ... but I don't think I have been allowed the three month void period ... trouble is getting through on the phone to them to talk to a human![:(]

Debbie

[Rainbow]

Look up the Local Council's web site and send them an email! If you let me know which council you are with I will look for the link for you.

[Soulgrowth]

Good point Rainbow, do they actually take notice of emails then? ... It's Portsmouth City Council

Debbie

[Rainbow]

Hi Debbie

Here is the email address for Business Rates at Portsmouth City Council localtaxation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Yes they have to take notice of emails as part of the Customer Charter - If they do not submit a complaint or email the councillors email address for them is members2@portsmouthcc.gov.uk - They should at least be able to respond with how to apply for the void period. Here is their link for Non Domestic Rates when you can pay less http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/business/3540.html Good Luck let me know how you get on.
Rainbow
Good Luck

[Soulgrowth]

Gosh Rainbow ... you are a star! I suspect that They have given my allowances because it is not a huge sum they say I owe in the big scheme of things ... but I will drop them an email on Monday just to check that the figures are correct before I pay anything [:)]

Thank you.

Debbie