Council Tax - Who Pays?

Most landlords who let a property that is tenanted will not be liable for council tax.  This is because where a property is occupied by a tenant; it’s the tenants who are responsible for meeting the costs of the council tax charge.

However, there will be occasions and situations where a landlord is liable, for instance if the buy-to-let property is empty due to a letting void.

Even where a landlord is liable for the council tax from the outset, as is the case for HMO properties; it should be remembered that it’s perfectly reasonable for the costs to be recovered as a charge or part of the rent; providing such a provision is made within the tenancy agreement.

Recovery of the costs will however not change the ultimate liability for the charge.



Landlords liability for council tax



Whilst in general it’s the tenant that pays; there are several important cases where landlords need to be aware of a shift in liability, exemptions from the charge and where a landlord is able to claim a discount on the council tax bill.

Firstly, the 20% of landlords that let Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO properties ) are liable by statute for the council tax charge, even where the property in fully let. Another situation that frequently arises is where a landlords buy-to-let property is empty for a period because of a letting void; or whilst the property is being refurbished. Finally, where landlords let to students; the property is exempt from council tax.  In all these cases the law can get confusing for both landlord & tenant, especially as individual Local Authorities interpret the rules differently

HMO landlords and council tax

Landlords that own a property that has been classed an HMO property are liable under the Council Tax Regulations for the payment of council tax due on the building.

As many landlords are aware; there are several definitions of what constitutes an HMO.  The confusing aspect is that they are very different.  This means that a property that could not be considered an HMO under the planning regulations may constitute one under the Housing Act 2004 and thereby require a licence.

The Coalition Government has recently removed the requirement for landlords to make a planning application for all properties let to three or more tenants.

What is a HMO for council tax purposes?

For Council Tax purposes the definition as to whether a property is classed as a HMO for Council Tax purposes is set out within the HMO the Council Tax (Liability for Owners) Regulations 1992.

For the purpose of Council Tax liability, a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ is:

built or adapted for occupation by people, but who don’t live as a single household.

Or

a dwelling which is occupied by people who have a tenancy or licence to live in only part of the a dwelling, or who pays rent or a license fee for only part of the dwelling.

For example; a house which has been divided into separate bedsits is a good example of an HMO under category, but a block of flats does not come into this category because each flat in the block is a separate, self contained dwelling in its own right.

The decision on whether a property is classed as a HMO for council tax purposes is made by the local authority, who periodically sends out a council tax assessor to band properties.  The list of properties and their banding is maintained by every local authority & is publicly available to view.

If the landlord is unhappy with the classification it is possible to make an appeal against the council tax banding.

If the landlord believes their tenant is exempt from council tax then they should appeal to the relevant local authority.

There are some other occasions where a property may be exempt from council tax

Student landlords

A property that is let entirely to full time students is exempt from council tax and therefore neither landlord or tenant are liable for any council tax.

However, the situation is complicated where students are part time or may be living with non-students.  This is frequently the case in some shared houses where former student tenants move into employment or where student friends move out to be replaced by employed tenants.

For more information on liability for council tax for student landlords.

Council tax and empty properties

The other area where a landlord may be exempt from paying council tax is where their buy-to-let property is empty because they are experiencing a rental void or their property is undergoing a major refurbishment.

Taking the first scenario where a buy-to-let property is empty.  This means that it has to be unoccupied.  The exemption applies for a maximum of 6 months and the property has to be vacant for the whole of this period (although up to six weeks of occupation during the period is allowed). 

Finally, the regulations require the property to be substantially unfurnished.  This is where there can be some confusion. Often local authorities will take the existence of some furniture as evidence of occupation even when the landlord is only storing furniture or has inherited ‘stuff’ as a result of a recent acquisition.  An empty property is exempt from council tax for 6 months, whilst a landlord with an empty furnished property will benefit from a 50% discount.  An empty properties exemption only lasts for 6 months after which a 50% discount applies.

In the case of a property that is undergoing refurbishment works that means that it is uninhabitable; a property benefits from an exemption from council tax liability of up to 12 months.  After this time the 50% empty property discount will apply.  Most councils will need evidence that the property is uninhabitable.  This may include a builders’ schedule of works.  I’ve had a situation myself where the property has had no kitchen or bathroom.  An inspection by the local authority council tax inspector to verify this is normally sufficient to satisfy the powers that be.

If the period of refurbishment is going to be longer than 12 months and you are dissatisfied with paying 50% council tax then it is possible for you as the landlord to appeal to the Valuation Office to get the property removed from the council tax list altogether.

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