Bristol City Council charging double council tax during voids?

Tenant leaves immediately put the property up for rent on the portals. And do not state an availability date. When prospective tenants view tell them you’re doing a bit of decorating and will be available in 3 to 4 weeks. Council if they see advert will assume it’s only going to be empty a few weeks, which unless you’re doing a major refurb is the case most of the time between tenant changeovers.

Reply to the comment left by Richard Dean at 16/10/2025 – 10:51

My two brothers & I have exactly the same thing on a property that we are executors for. Whilst waiting for probate and 6 months after we didn’t pay any council tax, then paid standard council tax for 3 months now we are being charged double (premium) as it’s an empty property. We have reduced the price by £150k now on agent number 3 and have taken an offer from a developer. We have got an appeal hearing in december, yet we still have to pay double tax until the hearing. It’s so unfair as it’s not a 2nd home, we can’t rent it, it would cost too much to do up, we don’t even get the bins emptied. We appreciate where people have holiday homes or sit on an empty property for the land value to increase!

A little more than 1.22m then. Reply to the comment left by Martin Thomas at 11:19

The BBC analysis found debt rose for the following councils in the West in 2024/25 compared with the year before: Bristol City Council – £105m increase to £600m.26 Aug 2025

Reply to the comment left by Paul Edwards at 16/10/2025 – 14:42
I think if it is beung advertised for sale the double council tax doesnt apply and im fairly sure there are further exemptions for executors of an estate

Reply to the comment left by Paul Edwards at 16/10/2025 – 14:42
It’d be really helpful for you to let us know here as to the outcome in December – cheers

Reply to the comment left by Tim Peters at 16/10/2025 – 14:53
We are being charged. We’ve searched around for information and have a few ideas to go back with. I think the local council are trying it on. It will be interesting to see what happens with the appeal

Reply to the comment left by Neilt at 16/10/2025 – 15:08
Will do

Reply to the comment left by Paul Edwards at 15:21

Before probate is granted
The property is fully exempt from council tax from the date of the occupant’s death, provided it remains unoccupied.
After probate is granted
Six-month exemption: A further six-month exemption is available after the grant of probate or letters of administration, provided the property remains empty.
Full council tax charge: After this six-month period, if the property is still part of the estate and remains unoccupied, the executor is responsible for paying the full council tax.
It doesn’t look like you would not qualify unless you have had 6 months AFTER probate was granted and you were not advertising it for sale

Reply to the comment left by Tim Peters at 16/10/2025 – 15:35
We had the 6 months FOC after probate was granted, then charged standard rate for 4 months I believe then onto premium rate. This is what the executors aren’t happy about as we don’t get any benefits, bins emptied, no police presence etc.

Reply to the comment left by Paul Edwards at 16/10/2025 – 15:55
Sorry, but i dont think you have much of a case 😬… The council will say you had 10 months post probate

Interestingly i think if a lender reposesses a property there isnt a time limit (i could be wrong)

The issue of council provided services doesnt really apply…. Much of their budget is spent on Adult and Childrens social services and that isnt something which is delivered ro most houses paying council tax