council tax

Other

We have 2 properties in East London which in true as a true London landlord are rented out furnished. i have problems though when the properties are vacant as the councils (Newham and Tower hamlets) want effectively full council tax for the period of time the properties are vacant as they are liveable. So when I have no tenants, not only do I have to cover the mortgage costs but also the council tax. If I remove the furniture, it is costly and then would be difficult to rent the property as furnished with no furniture in it.

The council were very sneaky and called our estate agents (how they know who the estate agents were I am not sure!) and asked them if the property was furnished or not. They kindly told the council tax people that the property was furnished.

We also have a property in Kingston and this council, instead of giving me a pathetic 10% discount on the council tax bill when the property is vacant, actually charge only about 10%.

It seems to me to be a gross mis-justice that I have to pay council tax on a property I don’t live in just because it is vacant and furnished. Have you ever helped a landlord successfully appeal such a case before?