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Council tax during probate (UK): quick checker

If the home is empty, council tax in England is usually not charged until probate is granted, and for up to 6 months after. This page helps you work out what’s likely in your situation (occupied vs empty, probate timing, and empty property premiums). Use the result as a starting point, then confirm with your council.

£0until probate, if empty
6 monthsmore after the grant
12 monthspremium exception
Last updated

Quick checker

This checker focuses on what councils care about most: is it occupied, has probate been granted, and how long it’s been empty. You’ll get a likely outcome plus a “what to do next” list.

Your likely outcome shows here.Answer the questions and press Check. After that, it updates as you change any answer.
Updates as you change answers
Likely outcome (estimate)
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What to do next

    What to gather before you contact the council

    • Property address and council tax account reference (if you have it)
    • Date of death (and death certificate if available)
    • Executor/personal representative details
    • Probate/grant status (applied / granted) and the grant date if granted
    • Whether anyone lives there and since when (if occupied)
    • When the property became empty (if empty) and whether it is furnished

    Estimates only. Not legal advice. Rules vary by council and change over time. Always confirm with your local authority.

    Guide

    These are the rules for England. Wales has a similar exemption. In Scotland the equivalent of probate is confirmation and the rules differ, so check with your council. Northern Ireland uses domestic rates instead of council tax.

    If someone lives in the property

    • Council tax usually continues when a property is occupied, and the people living there are normally responsible for it.
    • There may be discounts depending on who lives there. A single adult living alone gets 25% off.
    • If the resident is a spouse/civil partner, the council tax position is often straightforward (but still check for discounts).

    If the property is empty during probate

    • Before probate is granted, no council tax is due while the home stays empty and the person who died was the one responsible for the bill. This is a national exemption, not a council choice.
    • After probate is granted, the exemption can continue for up to 6 months, as long as the home stays empty and is still in the name of the person who died. It ends earlier if the home is sold or transferred.
    • Empty homes premium: councils can charge extra on homes empty for a year or more, but there’s an exception for up to 12 months after probate is granted.

    Tell the council about the death as soon as you can. The exemption is applied from the date of death, and an early call avoids bills being issued in the deceased’s name.

    FAQ

    Do you pay council tax on a property waiting for probate?

    In England, usually not. If the home is empty and the person who died was responsible for the council tax, it is exempt until probate is granted, as long as it stays empty.

    How long after probate is granted is council tax exempt?

    Up to 6 months after the grant, provided the home is still empty and still in the name of the person who died. If it is sold or transferred to a beneficiary sooner, the exemption ends then.

    Can the empty homes premium be charged on an inherited home?

    Councils in England can charge a premium on homes empty for a year or more, but homes with a recent grant of probate are excepted for up to 12 months after the grant. After that, the premium can apply if the home is still empty.

    Who pays council tax if someone lives in the house during probate?

    Usually the person or people living there, not the estate. They may get a discount, for example 25% off if one adult lives there alone.

    Useful links