Call for council tax relief on empty landlord properties
The NRLA are calling on Ministers to instruct local authorities that they should not charge council tax on rented homes left empty because of the coronavirus.
A significant number of rented homes have been left empty because tenants have been unable to take up tenancies, or have chosen to move out to be closer to family during the lockdown. During this period landlords will become liable for the council tax on the property and have no realistic prospect of finding new tenants.
The National Residential Landlords Association is asking the Government to tell councils that they should exempt houses have been left empty as a result of the virus from council tax demands.
A recent survey by the NRLA found that 41% of landlords are concerned about having to cover the unexpected costs of utility bills and council tax.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, said: “It is manifestly unfair for landlords to be asked to pay council tax on properties which are empty, and likely to remain so, because of the impact of the pandemic. Whilst we remain supportive of the measures taken so far by the Government, landlords are being asked to absorb more costs at a time when they are least able.
“Unlike most small businesses and the self-employed, there has been no direct support package announced for landlords. Removing this unnecessary burden would at least help those landlords who are struggling to cope with drastically reduced income.”
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Save The Date - 29th April 2020 @ 7pm
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 1121
11:32 AM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Have had a reply from my MP today stating she is referring the matter to government due to the situation the councils are placing landlords in.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 648
11:36 AM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gary Nock at 28/04/2020 – 11:32
Excellent!
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3550 - Articles: 5
11:38 AM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gary Nock at 28/04/2020 – 11:32
Any chance you could post your email/letter to your MP please so I can copy it to mine. Lets hit this in numbers! Well done Gary
Member Since September 2019 - Comments: 15
11:50 AM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
It would be good to all have the same letter, please share if you don’t mind,
Thank you
Colin
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 648
12:10 PM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Dixie at 28/04/2020 – 11:50
Excellent idea.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 1121
12:27 PM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
If I haven’t already mentioned it this is something useful for anybody’s submission. Remember I am not a solicitor so somebody who is might shoot me down in flames. But it does seem to fit the bill:
The Class “G” exemption does not just have one sub- clause. It has two. Or possibly three.
“Class G: an unoccupied dwelling the occupation of which is prohibited by law,( Clause 1) OR which is kept unoccupied by reason of action taken under powers conferred by or under any Act of Parliament,( Clause2) WITH A VIEW to prohibiting its occupation or to acquiring it”( Clause3)
The “or” is crucial. This means that any Act does not have to prohibit occupation per se- merely that it triggers the clause “has a view to doing so” This is a deliberately broad definition.
The Coronavirus Act certainly ” has a view” to prohibiting occupation. That is it’s purpose in stopping the spread of the disease. What the council have done is looked at the first part of the Class ” G” definition without also looking at the other two which are less precise. This is an interpretative and legislative error on their part.
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 73
3:09 PM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Adrian Jones at 25/04/2020 – 09:29
Adrian, in Wales you have 21 days to contact welsh water to advise of any tenancy change – it is in regulations. If a water meter then you will pay minimal standing charge as you are not using water. All my properties are on meter. with regard to gas/elec it is up to each company but the most you would be paying is a small standing charge. with regard to c. tax in N.Wales we get 26 weeks free in each year of c.tax if property vacant after that full charge applies. however some landlords when full charge kicks in advise their council there is a single “tenant”, give a name (ahem) and then get normal bill addressed to the property plus they can then apply and get the 25% single person discount for that “person” living at the property.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 308
3:20 PM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by colette at 28/04/2020 – 15:09
Thanks Colette. I’m looking at the Council Tax bill from Pembrokeshire Council now. It says 1 April 2020- 31 March 2021 Band C and £1,301.90 and for the same period Second Home Premium 50% £650.95. First payment due on 15 May, no mention of 26 weeks free.
Thanks for the tip about a single tenant, I know “someone” who tried that and was asked for their previous address!
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 648
4:50 PM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gary Nock at 28/04/2020 – 12:27
I have sent this to my local MP, Steve Brine.
I will let everyone know what results.
Comments: 12
8:18 PM, 28th April 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Adrian Jones at 28/04/2020 – 11:19
Yes, they have sent the CT demand. The flat is empty due to Covid 19, my tenants left the night before lockdown was enforced (they had already served notice) so this means the flat is now empty.
There is nothing on the website to suggest exemptions will apply because of Covid 19. So,I can only assume they won’t and do not wish to risk a higher bill because of it being empty. Even though, like many other LLs, I am powerless to do anything about.