Grandfather hit out at paying two council tax bills as he awaits ‘dream home’ to be demolished

Sep 30 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

MR Kusz and his wife Joyce Ann have been forced out of their dream home because it is unhabitable.

He and his wife have been living in their daughter’s home in Pine Crescent, Torhead, Hamilton, for the past 13 months.

Mr Kusz receives two council tax bills for each of the properties, totalling £5500 per year.

He is paying £3000 for his daughter’s four-bedroom detached home in Torhead where he moved to last August and a further £2500 for his own which he doesn’t live in Quarter.

His daughter lives in Germany and wants to let out the home.

Mr Kusz said he should not be paying council tax on the home as it is unhabitable and waiting to be demolished.

“I can’t afford £5500 for two homes.

“The house in Quarter has so many defects that I can’t live there.

“It has no water, gas or electricity and is unhabitable.

“I have been given a 10 per cent council tax discount on the property until it is demolished.

“I am fighting the council tax to get an exemption.

“Why should I pay for council tax on a home in Quarter which I don’t live in or get any services?

“I am in the final stages of getting the house demolished.

“The council have been heavy handed and forced me into paying.

“Although the house appears to be in good condition from outside, it is what you don’t see.

“The solution is to give me an exemption for paying council tax until the house is demolished.

“They can come and inspect the property and give a decision if someone can live in it. The council class it as a second home but no-one can live in it.

“Even if the council are legally right, they are morally wrong.

“I am not against paying council tax. I don’t think I should be paying council tax twice, especially on a house that is unhabitable.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The Assessor is responsible for the maintenance of the council tax list and to date he has not received any notification in relation to the demolition of the property at 6 Rowan Grove from either Mr Kusz or South Lanarkshire Council.

“When the property has been demolished he will amend the council tax list accordingly.

“Mr Kusz received the appropriate vacant and unfurnished exemption for a six-month period when he initially moved out of the property and has been awarded a 10 per cent discount since due to the property being ‘long-term empty’.

“There is nothing within the legislation that allows us to award any further exemption or additional discount based on the current circumstances.

“Mr Kusz is the person liable to pay council tax at both addresses.”