Part of the empty homes policy for Torbay.
Depending on the liable person’s circumstances an empty property may be exempt from paying Council Tax. Empty homes are classified by the Council, depending on why and how long they have been left empty. Classifications include people in hospital or receiving care, unresolved ownership matters, usually following a death, as well as financial matters, such as property repossessions.
In Torbay the majority of empty homes exempt from Council Tax are due to the recent death of an owner, establishing the validity of a will, or the owner having to be moved into care. These are obviously troubling times for bereaved, or concerned relatives, so engagement must be handled sensitively and with care.
| Reason | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant, pending minister of religion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Vacant, owner in prison | 4 | 0.5% |
| Vacant, owner providing care | 4 | 0.5% |
| Vacant, owner receiving care | 7 | 0.9% |
| Vacant, mortgagee in possession | 9 | 1.2% |
| Vacant, phrohibited by law e.g. fire regs or standards notice | 24 | 3% |
| Vacant, owned by charity or registered provider | 32 | 4% |
| Unoccupied annexe attached to property | 38 | 5% |
| Six month exemption after probate granted | 144 | 19% |
| Vacant, owner in nursing, or care home | 149 | 19% |
| Vacant, owner deceased | 354 | 46% |
| Total | 766 | 99.2% |