How long must I keep a rented property available for someone who has been sent to prison? I have just got the keys back and vacant possession when the lease expired after three years. Who is responsible for council tax during this period? The council has sent me a bill for half the normal amount.
Assuming the rent wasn’t being paid, it’s more than likely that a court would have granted you a possession order to get your property back fairly quickly in these circumstances. It sounds as though the property has been assessed as a second home for council tax purposes. You may be able to persuade the council that at least some of the council tax was payable by your tenant, depending on the steps you took to regain possession of your property.