If your property is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished, you could be exempt from council tax charges for up to 6 months. When the exemption ends, you will be responsible for paying the full amount of council tax.
To be classed as substantially unfurnished, your property cannot have any other furnishings apart from:
- carpets,
- curtains, and
- fixtures, for example, fitted kitchen.
If you purchase a property that is already unoccupied and substantially unfurnished you can only claim the remaining part of the 6 month exemption.
For example, if the property has already been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for 3 months, you can only claim an exemption for up to 3 months. If the property has already been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 6 months, you cannot claim an exemption.
How to apply for a council tax exemption
You can apply for unoccupied property exemption by emailing ctax@cardiff.gov.uk.
Please provide:
- your Council Tax account number,
- the address of the unoccupied property,
- the date it became unoccupied,
- the date it became unfurnished, and
- your current home address.
To get an exemption, we may need to visit your property. We can also request to come back and inspect your property at any time after the exemption has been granted.
If your property is still unoccupied and unfurnished after 12 months, we will add a
premium charge of 100% to your bill.
Furnished properties that are second homes and no-one's residence
You cannot get a discount for most furnished properties that are second homes or no-one's residence. However, you could get a 50% discount if:
- your property is a caravan on a pitch or a boat with a mooring,
- you are also liable for council tax at another property which is job related. For example, a pub,
- you are a member of the armed forces and live in a provided property, or
- the person who was liable for the charge has passed away and no grant of probate has been made, or it has been less than 12 months since the grant was made.
From 1 April 2024, you will be charged a
premium of 100% if you have a second home, or a furnished property that is no-one's residence. This means that you will have to pay a 200% council tax charge.