Council Tax

[bazzard]

I have two properties, one of which I inherited. What is the minimum number of days I can spend in each one to qualify for single person's discount? Would four days consecutively in each property be enough? The properties are with two different councils. One property was unoccupied and is for sale. The council waived the charges on one house for 6 months after probate last year.

[Mamyalynne]

This page says to contact your Council re CT and second homes.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/second-homes-and-empty-properties

[Flonska]

It appears that if only one adult, aged 18 or over, lives in a dwelling as their main home, the Council Tax bill will be reduced by 25 per cent. This is called a single person discount. I think the important criteria is "lives in a dwelling as their main home." Perhaps you may only be able to apply for the discount on only one property - i.e. the one that is your main dwelling?

[Buenchico]

It might make more sense to designate one of your properties as your main residence (with a 25% single-occupier discount) and the other as a second home. You'd probably then be entitled to a discount on the latter property anyway, which could be more than 25% (up to 50%, depending upon the rules of the relevant council):
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/second-homes-and-empty-properties

[bazzard]

Helpful answers. I hadn't thought about a property being considered as a second home. Will look into this possibility.

[Old_Geezer]

Wish I could get my other place up to scratch, it's taking ages, and the council just uses it as an excuse to steal even more tax from me than an occupied house is charged, clearly because they are just bulling muggers unfit to be in the world with decent folk.

[bazzard]

Apparently it is up to local councils to decide on these matters. My local council will not give me a discount for single occupancy, as I only live there for part of the week and it is not my main residence. I am still pursuing enquiries about second home ownership, although I am trying to sell the property.

[gulliver1]

I had this problem once and was told by the Council you can not live in two houses,
at the same time. Good luck, I hope you can get away with it.

[Peter Pedant]

OG
if your house is uninhabitable
( to extent bog doesnt work )
then some councils waive council tax ....
( er and some dont )

[bazzard]

The house is in a good state of repair and is for sale, but with little interest shown. A 50% discount is available, in some cases, where a home has to be left empty, but furnished, because the owner is required to live elsewhere as a condition of their employment. The property they will be moving to must be supplied by the employer. Unfortunately this is not applicable to me.

[Old_Geezer]

Peter, some demand an additional 50% despite no one being there taking much of the services. Because they can.