Exemptions - empty properties
Exemptions - empty properties
If your property falls into one of the categories below, you may not have to pay Council Tax.
- A property left empty following the death of the occupant
- A property left empty by a person in a hospital or care home
- A property left empty by a person in prison or detention
- A property left empty by a person needing care
- A property left empty by a person providing care
- An empty property owned by a charity
- A property left empty due to legal action
- An empty property being held for a minister of religion
- A property left empty by a student
- An empty property that has been repossessed
- A property left empty by a person who is bankrupt
- An empty caravan pitch or boat mooring
- An empty annexe to an occupied property
If your home is unoccupied for another reason, see our Empty Homes page.
A property left empty following the death of the occupant
Complete our online e-form to apply.
Please remember to enclose a copy of the death certificate with the application.
A property left empty by a person in a hospital or care home
This applies where a person has left their property empty to receive care or treatment in a hospital, residential care home, nursing home or hostel.
It will only apply if the person will not return to the property.
To apply complete the Hospital Patients / Patients in homes form (PDF, 12KB).
A property left empty by a person who has been detained elsewhere
This applies to empty properties where the owner or tenant of the property is in prison or detained under the Mental Health Act.
To apply complete the Persons in Detention form (PDF, 12KB).
We will contact the place of detention to confirm this.
A property left empty by a person needing care
This applies where a person has left their property empty to live with someone else to receive care in that person's home.
The person must require care as a result of:
- old age
- disablement
- illness
- past or present alcohol or drug dependence
- past or present mental disorder
To apply complete the Property left empty by a person needing care form (PDF, 12KB).
A property left empty by a person providing care
This applies where a person has left their property empty to provide care for someone else in that person's home.
The person must require care as a result of:
- old age
- disablement
- illness
- past or present alcohol or drug dependence
- past or present mental disorder
To apply complete the Property left empty by a person providing care form (PDF, 12KB)
An empty property owned by a charity
This lasts for up to six months from the date the property became empty, provided that the property was used for the purposes of the charity up to that date.
To apply complete the Empty property owned by a charity form (PDF, 22KB).
Enclose a covering letter on official headed paper showing your registered charity number and confirming the property is used for charitable purposes.
Empty due to legal action
This applies to a property that cannot be occupied as a result of legal action. This includes properties deemed unfit for human habitation as determined by Environmental Services.
To apply complete the Empty due to legal action form (PDF, 12KB).
Enclose evidence you are legally unable to occupy the property.
An empty property being held for a minister of religion
This applies to a property that is empty and will next be occupied by a minister of any religion to carry out their duties.
To apply complete the Empty property being held for a minister of religion form (PDF, 32KB).
Enclose a letter from the Diocese or relevant body confirming the property is unoccupied for this reason.
A property left empty by a student
This applies if an empty property is owned by and was last occupied by a student.
To apply complete the Property left empty by a student form (PDF, 12KB).
Enclose a student certificate and evidence of your current term time address.
An empty property that has been repossessed
This applies to properties that are empty and have been repossessed by the mortgage provider.
If the property is not empty on the date of repossession, the exemption applies from the date the property becomes empty.
It ends when the property is sold or transferred.
To apply complete the Empty property - repossession or bankruptcy form (PDF, 12KB).
Enclose evidence of repossession.
A property left empty by a person who is bankrupt
To apply, complete the Empty property - repossession or bankruptcy form (PDF, 12KB)
Enclose a copy of the bankruptcy order.
An empty caravan pitch or boat mooring
To apply email council.tax@haringey.gov.uk
Confirm the address of the plot and your contact details.
An empty annexe to an occupied property
This relates to annexes which:
- form part of premises which include another property, and
- may not be let separately without breaching planning control
To apply email council.tax@haringey.gov.uk
Confirm the property address and your contact number as an enquiry officer may need to visit the property.