*
• I confirm that the information given is correct to the best of my knowledge.
• I understand that the Council may make enquiries to verify the information given.
• I understand that I must notify the Council immediately of any changes to circumstances.
Additional information and declaration
UNINHABITABLE
PROPERTIES
COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT
[Data Protection - The Council acknowledges its obligations under the 1984 Act. Information may sometimes be passed to other local bodies.]
Could you let us have your daytime telephone number in case we need to contact you?
Postcode:
Postcode:
delete whichever is not applicable
Council Tax ref (if known)
date:
* (b) Is undergoing structural alteration. Please give details of structural alteration being undertaken:
7 The work begins - date:
Signed:
2
* (a) requires major repairs to make it habitable. Please give details of repairs needed:
6 I wish to claim a discount on the grounds that the property:
5 The above property became empty and unfurnished? Date:
4 Your current address:
3 Address of property concerned:
1 Your name:
Please make sure your address and reference number are clearly written
FROM COUNCIL TAX WHERE A PROPERTY IS UNINHABITABLE
APPLICATION FOR DISCOUNT
A full Council Tax charge is payable when at
least two adults (i.e. people over 18 years old)
live at a property. Some adults, although living
at an address, are not counted (they are
‘disregarded’) and the Council Tax is calculated
as if they were not there. In some cases there
may not be any Council Tax payable at all.
A discount to Council Tax can be applied if a
property is not in use and requires (or is
undergoing) major repairs or structural
alteration, to make it habitable.
What does uninhabitable
mean?
To attract a 50% discount the property must not be lived
in; be substantially unfurnished; and require or be
undergoing major repairs (which can include structural
repairs) to make it habitable.
It is important for landlords, or those intending to let
property, to note that although you may think
‘uninhabitable’ means ‘unfit to let’, the condition of the
property may be acceptable to an owner occupier.
Because of the difficult nature of this piece of legislation,
it is essential that the Council’s Inspector can see the
repairs that are needed before they are started or at least
before they are completed. If this is not possible,
substantial supporting evidence such as a qualified
surveyor’s report must be provided. It is unlikely that a
backdated claim for a discount will be agreed, unless this
evidence is provided.
The Council will give the discount where it considers
that repairs rather then refurbishment are needed
and where those repairs have been verified by the
Council’s inspector.
Structural alterations
What can be treated as ‘major repairs’ is to be defined by
law but the Council can consider the cost and extent of
works required to make the property habitable, the time
those works would take and any other obvious features
of the works.
A discount can also be given where a property is not lived
in; is substantially unfurnished and is undergoing structural
alteration which has not been substantially completed.
In this case the discount is usually allowed for structural
alterations because of the obvious nature of these works.
In the Government legislation the word ‘repairs’ is used.
The Council’s interpretation of this is that a discount can
be applied where a property cannot be lived in because it
has fallen into severe disrepair. It is not intended to cover
situations where a property has outdated features, fittings
and fixtures. Replacement, refurbishment or
modernisation of kitchens, bathrooms, toilets etc or
installation of replacements windows, central heating etc.
would not lead to a discount because they are not
repairing the property. Neither will ‘minor’ repairs lead to
a discount. Quite often refurbishment works are carried
out whilst a property is still lived in.
How long does the
discount last?
The discount period lasts for a maximum period of twelve
months from when the property became uninhabitable
and in need of major repair or the structural alterations
began. When the works are substantially completed the
discount can continue for a further six months providing
that:
a. the property is not occupied; and
b. the overall twelve months limit is not exceeded.
More information
If you have any queries or want further information,
please contact Customer Services on 01730 234400
or email [email protected]
Completing the application
If you need more room, write the question number and
your answer on a separate sheet of paper and securely
fix it to the form.
Send the completed application to
East Hampshire District Council
Council Tax, Penns Place, Petersfield,
Hampshire GU31 4EX
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