Chicken bald back

[Forestchook]

Does anyone know if the council are allowed to bill retrospectively? I have just received a amended bill for a house that we are doing up. Money has been tight so it's been a very sloooow process.

They have just added approx. £550 to the 2013/14 bill, which I have already paid in full! The reason: 150% long term vacant property premium.

Now I understand the principal behind the charge, i.e get unoccupied houses re occupied.

However leaving aside other objections as to whether it should apply in this case I am upset that they have back dated the premium to June 2013. The premium has been in affect since 01 Apr 2013 and they knew when it became 'long term' empty. As such, surely it should have been taken into account when they sent my original bill. At a minimum, surely they should have written and advised me they I would have to start paying the premium when it came into affect, i.e June 2013 (in dispute), not eight months after the fact!

 

Also does anyone know how long it needs to be occupied, before it can be unoccupied again?

 

Many thanks

N

[Charlottechicken]

I would check the council's website for their particular rules and regulations regarding occupancy etc. I believe they may differ from council to council?

 

Is the house habitable at all? If so, is it possible to leave something like working toilets to last in your renovations so that the house is not habitable? This made a difference to me when I was doing up my house.