Council Tax?

[diane]

Hi all I recently purchased a BTL house on the 22 Dec( it’s not rented out just yet) do I have to inform the local council about tax etc?

Many thanks

Diane

[david slater]

Hi Diane

Unfortunately you as the owner are responsible for council tax until the property is tenanted. Councils sometimes seem to have discounted rates for empty properties but I found (with Cherwell Council) that this ends when the property is long term empty (probate sale). You will need to inform them that you are the owner but if not they will find you sooner or later.

You should always factor in holding costs such as CT and utilities when purchasing a house to refurb as they can really add up the longer the house is empty. These are all allowable expenses for a property business which is a bonus although I still resent paying CT on an empty house.

[Julia Urquhart]

You need to open accounts with the Council, Gas / electricity & water companies, unless you expect to get a tenant in really quickly - although even then you are responsible for the bills in the void period.

[diane]

7 hours ago, david slater said:

Hi Diane

Unfortunately you as the owner are responsible for council tax until the property is tenanted. Councils sometimes seem to have discounted rates for empty properties but I found (with Cherwell Council) that this ends when the property is long term empty (probate sale). You will need to inform them that you are the owner but if not they will find you sooner or later.

You should always factor in holding costs such as CT and utilities when purchasing a house to refurb as they can really add up the longer the house is empty. These are all allowable expenses for a property business which is a bonus although I still resent paying CT on an empty house.

 

[diane]

Thanks for that info David you’ve been very helpful.

Cheers

Diane

[diane]

1 hour ago, julia urquhart said:

You need to open accounts with the Council, Gas / electricity & water companies, unless you expect to get a tenant in really quickly - although even then you are responsible for the bills in the void period.

[diane]

Thanks for the advice/help Julie.

Diane

[EvolutionBlogger]

On 12/29/2020 at 8:42 PM, diane said:

Hi all I recently purchased a BTL house on the 22 Dec( it’s not rented out just yet) do I have to inform the local council about tax etc?

Many thanks

Diane

Yes!