What is the official definition of a second home?
Hi all, I’m after some advice, please. I have a property fully paid up and currently carrying out refurbishment works inside and out. However, I do not live in this property.
This is ongoing and by April 2024 will be 2 years since I took possession.
My concern is that I am living with my partner full time whom I met 2 months after taking possession of my property. With the recent talk of increased council tax rates for properties that have been empty for 2 years or more, would I be affected?
I pay my partner a reasonable amount each month for food, washing etc. I have no other property and my partner’s property is in her name only.
Many thanks
CP
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Our complaint against a housing officer?
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 198
8:56 PM, 23rd December 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Slooky at 23/12/2023 – 20:49
And that definition usually means the tenant registers as council tax payer unless it’s HMO or airb’n’b.
Technically all landlords are second home owners which usually reflects capital gain when sold so I don’t understand how this thread has got to be about council tax.
Member Since August 2014 - Comments: 336
9:29 PM, 23rd December 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 23/12/2023 – 20:56
Probably because the OP didn’t specify which bit of housing law / regulation / tax they were enquiring about, so people just try to answer to the best of their ability. A second home for the purposes of HMRC is not the same as Council Tax, is not the same for Stamp Duty.
We struggle to identify what a woman is these days, so agreeing what a second home is will he nigh on impossible!
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 176
9:41 PM, 23rd December 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 23/12/2023 – 20:56
Op was asking about council tax unless I have totally misunderstood. With regards council tax if our property’s are not furnished they are classed as empty property’s between tenancies. I do agree that HMRC have a totally different interpretation from the council tax office.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 198
9:44 PM, 23rd December 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jessie Jones at 23/12/2023 – 21:29
Perfectly take your point Jesse and my point wasn’t to take issue just stating an opinion….in this complicated issue of home ownership!
Comments: 1
5:03 PM, 16th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Simon M at 21/12/2023 – 14:48
And did the IT guys consider leasehold retirement properties that cannot be sub-let while attempting to be sold by the executor. Furthermore if the executor is not the owner of his/her principal private property but a tenant, how can the other property be considered a second property? It’s all very well doing a matching exercise of names in different databases and coming up with hits. Rigid application leads to appalling injustices and egregious behaviour by councils.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
8:33 AM, 17th March 2025, About 1 year ago
As far as council tax goes, even if your property is empty STILL pay it as if someone is living there as you will not get surcharged then. If you want just register with the council as a fictitious person and pay normal council tax. I can tell you that the council don’t check, all they are interested in is grabbing your money.