Council tax discount - Unoccupied property undergoing major repair

A dwelling may be eligible for a 50% discount if it is undergoing major or structural repairs to render it habitable. The dwelling must be unoccupied and substantially unfurnished. The maximum period this discount can be awarded for is 12 months. This discount is not intended to cover elective works, redecoration or minor repairs. Examples of works which would not qualify for this discount include: redecoration, repair or replacement of a kitchen or bathroom suite, rewiring, plumbing or heating. This discount is also not intended to cover property improvements such as extensions or loft conversions.

A property may be entitled to a discount if it meets the following criteria: "1. The property is currently undergoing major repair work to make it suitable to live in;" or "2. Work is underway to make structural alterations and the majority of this work has not been completed".

Repairs and Alterations that do not meet the criteria:

plumbing or heating
replacement or repairs of bathroom and kitchen or any other fitting or fixtures
rewiring
timber or damp proof treatments
re-plastering
drainage
repairs or renewals of services
maintenance, for example, re-pointing, window or door replacement
extensions, conservatories or loft conversions
redecoration

In Scope Repairs which do meet the criteria:

major repairs to roof structures
rebuilding defective chimney stack(s)
rebuilding external walls
repair/renewal of foundations
underpinning substandard foundations
replacing defective solid floors
replacing defective solid floor joists
property totally gutted including removing most internal walls (not stud/partition walls)
replacing defective ceiling joists
rebuilding defective walls (not stud/partition walls)

It is vital you collect the following information beforehand,