The National Residential Landlords Association says thousands of landlords face paying the tax through no fault of their own as tenants abandon tenancies or go home to their families during the pandemic.
Private landlords shouldn’t
be forced to pay council tax on properties left empty because of the
coronavirus, according to The National Residential Landlords Association.
It’s calling on the
Government to tell councils they should exempt these houses from
their demands.
The NRLA says a significant
number of rented homes are empty because tenants were unable to
take up tenancies or have chosen to move out to be closer to family during the
lockdown.
Landlords would then become liable for the council tax on the property and have no realistic prospect of finding new tenants.
41% worried
Its recent survey found
that 41% of landlords are concerned about having to cover the unexpected costs
of utility bills and council tax.
Chief executive Ben Beadle
says: “It is manifestly unfair for landlords to be asked to pay council tax on
properties which are empty, and likely to remain so, because of the impact
of the pandemic.
“Whilst
we remain supportive of the measures taken so far by
the Government, landlords are being asked to absorb more costs at a
time when they are least able.
“Unlike most small
businesses and the self-employed, there has been
no direct support package announced for landlords. Removing
this unnecessary burden would at least help those landlords who are
struggling to cope with drastically reduced income.”
