Empty Dwelling Management Order from Council head of revenues?

no--just usual council scam

I think it is fairly standard practice. Head of Revenue will include Council Tax who will be the first to know when properties are vacated. I think most local authorities routinely send letters of this nature when a property has been empty for 6 months and if unoccupied for longer than 12 months may offer grants to help get the property in use again.

Don't worry about the Head of Revenues title - all Councils use it as the collective term for the teams that collect Business Rates and Council Tax, the majin source of income other than the central government grant. Council Tax is the prime source of data to identify Empty Homes so it makes sense for the same team to do the "surveys".

However, I can't see why they would do an Empty Homes survey now, as your circumstances illustrate. The council computer system may automatically generate these letters, or it could be a question of competence. Their job is to collect money when legally due - the staff don't have property management experience.

Try ringing the Council first to try to find out what sort of threat this is. Once it's explained reasonably a council manager should grasp your situation. If not, I'm sure they wouldn't want the bad publicity. And you must name the council, other landlords may be in a similar situation.

Yes they no longer give much in a way of concession when a property is being renovated, which can take months , the most I got was 1 months reprieve from paying CT. Greedy bunch of blood sucking leaches is the fitting word for these kind of policy implementers, Imagine what you could have done with that extra money if you did not have to pay CT on an empty property, it could have been used to further improve the dwelling instead of stuffing their own pockets by awarding themselves hefty salaries.

It may be that after six months the Council charges a higher rate of Council Tax, in some cases councils charge an additional 100% where a property is empty.

It is also the case that local authorities have duties regarding empty properties. See e.g. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7827/151111.pdf

You should write and tell the Council about the work you have done, and what works you are planning so that they can know that the property has not been abandoned. Tell them when you expect the work to be finished. Explain that it is not ready for occupation yet but that as soon as the contractor is finished you will be re-letting it.

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 02/07/2021 - 14:36
Hi, I agree with Ian. Write to them, don't bother phoning as you will never get to speak to the right person. Also you will have no record of your inquiry, plus better to have a written response for you records. There are times when phone calls get a quicker response - But not when it comes to local authorities or when dealing with certain legal matters.

Yes, that was kind of you, Sivershine, to reduce the notice period.
The trouble is with cash strapped local authorities is that they have to look for ways of drawing in more money. My LA who previously gave an empty discount for 6 months has issued this notice.
From 1 April 2021, there is no discount available for properties that are unoccupied and unfurnished. Council tax will be charged at the full rate. If a property remains unoccupied and unfurnished for two years, a premium will be charged as follows:
If the property is still unoccupied and unfurnished after two years, 200% Council Tax will be charged.
If the property is still unoccupied and unfurnished after five years, 300% Council Tax will be charged.
If the property is still unoccupied and unfurnished after ten years, 400% Council Tax will be charged.
I agree that in your case you needed to advise them in order to get the initial empty rate after which you may be able to extend it to uninhabitable - although not having CH would not be a sufficient reason to apply for this.
My point is that we are all heading for the same zero discount from day one so in the case of my council, I just meekly pay the full rate as requested just in case it remains empty for 2-years and beyond...

Thank you all for your responses - I rest assured, albeit still cynical! To correct a minor error (which seems to have been lost in translation somehow) "My 1 BTL property" should read "My 1 B/R property". I have responded, in writing, to my LA (LB of Lewisham). Almost immediately it was posted off, I received a call from my Contractor that the kitchen cupboard has arrived and he would start repair work the following Monday (Sod's Law!).

Reply to the comment left by Mike at 02/07/2021 - 11:57
Your are so right Mike . I've disliked councils for years they are a law unto themselves. Our top councillor earns £132000 per year = £2500 per week! I'm sure the rest do quite well too!