House sold at auction to recover council tax debts » Local Government » 24dash.com

A Manchester house abandoned eight years ago has been sold at auction to recover outstanding council tax debts.

The property is the first to be sold in Manchester for the purpose of recovering a council tax debt.

Manchester Housing's Enforced Sales Team joined forces with Manchester City Council, among others, to achieve the sale.

The house had been empty since 1997 and there had been no contact from the owner.

The council tax section of the city treasurer's department chose the abandoned property upon realising there was little likelihood of the debt being recovered.

There were also several financial charges owed to the council when had to carry out essential work to the property after the owner failed to do so.

The charges were recovered along with the council tax debt, when the property was sold at auction.

Manchester City Council's Lead Member for Housing, Councillor Eddy Newman, said: "This is the first time we have used these powers to recover council tax debt and it is a very useful tool to have at our disposal.

"This house had been left abandoned for eight years. Its sale now means that as well as recovering council tax, it will now be occupied, which will improve the area."