A while ago I blogged about the single occupancy discount on your council tax that you could claim for if you’re now living on your own after your ex-wife leaves the property. However, there are more complicated and somewhat farcical elements to the way council tax is worked out.

For example:

If you live on your own in a property you are permitted a 25% discount for single occupancy. Nice and straight forward that one.

If however the house is empty, and devoid of furniture, you are permitted a 50% discount on the council tax for several months. This should help you make ends meet if you have had to move away as a result of your divorce.

Now, if the house isn’t lived in by anyone, but has some furniture in it, no matter how little, you will be forced to pay the full amount of council tax. You won’t get any discount, even for single occupancy, even though no one lives there at all. This may seem strange, and unfair, but it’s the way the council have their rules. They say it’s to avoid people buying second homes and avoiding the full council tax rates, but obviously it more often than not catches people who are unfortunate in divorce situations and thus have to pay full council tax on two properties.

If you’re unhappy about this, as I imagine anyone who is affected by it will be, I’d suggest you write to your local MP about the rules.

I can see the point to the rule, but the practise means that honest, hard-working people in unusual circumstances are penalised.

Please Look:

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Read all about tax return on United Cash Back.

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Clive Bellmore