thenoblesavage

Hi all,

Ok, so I know this may sound like a cheeky idea but thought I'd see if anyone else has ever thought this and acted on it.

I would pay my Council Tax monthly, over 10 monthly installments. I left the UK 4 months into the 2009-10 tax year, so I paid 4 of these installments. So I paid 40% of the Council Tax for the year, but lived there for 33.3% of the year, so I have overpaid?

Does this make any sense? If so, your thoughts?

Thanks,

James

Jerseygirl

Have you contacted the council and asked? Did you sell the house? If not you may have to pay the full amount. I get a 5% reduction off my council tax because my house is empty for most of the year...it varies from council to council.

Ozzidoc

My local council tax dept in the UK has an email address -I've been soughting out my affairs using this route. I must say that I'm amazed at my (former) council's speedy responses.

You can probably do the same with your water/sewerage provider as well.

MsElui

when we moved out we couldnt stop paying council tax til the first renters moved in. We got any overpayment back then.

Ozzidoc

Same for me, although if the house is being rented unfurnished, then may be some money due back for the vacant period. (Presence of furniture = not vacant in the eyes of the council.)

fatbrit

I think you should pay double.

Elvira

fatbrit

Leaving houses empty. It's not good for a small island with a housing shortage.

Elvira

I guess you may not be familiar with UK rental laws, which are almost entirely skewed against landlords. It is completely unrealistic to try and rent out property on a short term basis, unless said property is suitable as a holiday let. Even then it may be too difficult to deal with this as an expat.

fatbrit

Strangely enough, I've never owned a house in Blighty.

Principle holds though: if everyone wanted to keep a house spare in Blighty, there are an awful lot of empty properties taking up space. I have no objection to folks owning a spare home in North Dakota. Just seems a little selfish on a densely-crowded island.

meauxna

lol, can't pick a proper fight anywhere this week!

Jerseygirl

I would if I had to and it would be worth it to have a house back home.

thenoblesavage

Hi all,

So some good news (for me at least!). I emailed the council yesterday and they are going to wire me a £187 rebate for overpaying my council tax. This is because I would pay my yearly rate over 10 months, so for the 4 months I paid I overpaid. The funny thing is, I didn't even think of this until the council sent me a letter chasing payment! I had to also email them evidence that I had informed them of my move 2 months back. They admitted they had made the error and hadn't updated their records. It's not often you get such cooperation from the council!!

James

lapin_windstar

Pssh - English rental laws are pretty fair. If you want to see skewed rental laws, you should visit NYC.