Mortgage repossession or bankruptcy

A property that is unoccupied because it has been repossessed by a mortgage lender is exempt from council tax. This means you do not have to pay council tax for the property.

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this exemption online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• the council tax reference number - found on the latest bill
• the name of the occupier as it appears on the council tax bill
• the property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you go into the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel an exemption' link.

You need to supply the following information:

• the date the property became unoccupied
• a document from your lender that confirms the date of the repossession. You will need to upload this. 

A property is exempt from council tax if it is unoccupied because the person who must pay council tax has been made bankrupt.

The liability for their debt has passed to a trustee in bankruptcy.

This means you don't have to pay council tax for the property.

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this exemption online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• the council tax reference number - found on the latest bill
• the name of the occupier as it appears on the council tax bill
• the property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go into the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel an exemption' link.

You need to supply the following information:

• the date the property became unoccupied
• a photo of a document that confirms the bankruptcy order. You will need to upload this. 

We will contact you if we need any further information.

If you are entitled to a exemption, we will send you a new bill.