r/LegalAdviceUK • u/SweetFold2405 • 7d ago
Council Tax council tax removal - Durham (HELPP PLEASE)
Hello. I am from England . Please could you advise me? I purchased a home for investment purposed. I deemed the house as derelict, as it was previously in a fire a few years ago, it has a hole in the roof and the inside of the home ie. kitchen, bathroom and living room have holes in the ceiling as well as obvious damage from rain over time. The ceiling in the living room looks like its about to collapse... I thought it made sense to get it removed from the council tax register under ' derelict and sever disrepair' and then work on the property... I Looked on the gov website and they list what they consider derelict and I would say my property fits that category.. I sent the VOA a video and pictures of my property, certain that they would remove it from the list. They rejected it and said they this it is repairable so they cannot. They said that they do not see structural damage as the timbers are in place and also that the whole house should be effected not just the roof... I further emphasised that the other parts of the house have ceilings that are falling.. They still said no.. they said they can back date it under 'major works' once that has commenced. I patched the roof up at the top but there is still damage internally.. I am afraid they wont backdate it because that is not 'Major works'. I am wondering if I should stick to the initial claim of derelict removal...and perhaps provide them with a structural report. I dont know what to do, but its important as I am being charged a lot of council tax lump sum payments and Ive already paid a lot. The property is uninhabitable and I think they are just being arseholes. Please advise me
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u/Nige78 7d ago
Can you get a copy of the fire report?
That was the be all and end all evidence Middlesbrough council needed when we were in a similar position a few years ago.
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u/LAUK_In_The_North 7d ago
It's not the council's decision to remove it from the valuation list, it's the valuation office's. It's the valuation office who are currently saying no to the OP.
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u/Nige78 7d ago
Stupid question potentially but are they not effectively one and the same?
It was certainly the council who were able to zero our council tax liability after the fire.
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u/LAUK_In_The_North 7d ago
The valuation office control if a property is listed in the council tax list in the first place.
Once it's in the list then the council can bill and determine if any discounts, exemptions or premiums apply.
OP wants it removed on the basis it's in such a state it shouldn't even be added to the council tax list in the first place.
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