Hi all. I’m new here so take pity. Looking at breaking away from the mad world for a few months of the year and always wanted to experience Scotland. I came across the ‘Hutting’ story and I’m interested. If I go all ‘off grid’ do I pay council tax or any other expense to the local authority.
Thanks for your help. Paul
Hi Paul. I believe that some councils have levied Council tax on huts, but they class them as a business somehow or class them as liable for business tax, but then rate them as zero liability, so actually charge you nothing. I’m sure others may have more accurate information. Best wishes. Stuart.
Hello Paul, and welcome to the RS Hub and Huts pages!
Huts and the planning category of “A Hut” are meant for occassional, recreational use. They are not for ‘living’ in continuously for weeks at a time. If you wanted to build something to live in for a few months of the year then you would need to apply for planning permission for a holiday chalet, holiday cabin or similar. This would require meeting planning and building regulations I would think.
Huts are a kind of in-between category that recognises the need to get away for a night or two in a small, simple timber hut with few amenities or mod-cons, off-grid. We are very fortunate that the Thousand Huts Campaign was sucessful in winning this concession from the Scottish Government and creating a new category of building. It is a life-changing opportunity for us.
It means there is a simplified process, without the need to satisfy building regulations or have a building warrant approved. This makes things simple and cheaper to do. However, hutters must, in return, abide by the spirit and letter of the official definition of a hut and use their huts accordingly.
Sadly, there is no easy, cheap, fast way to obtain a house in the woods or in the countryside.
It seems to be that huts are assessed for rates, but the you can apply for (and usually get) 100% rates relief under the Scottish Governments “Small Business Rates Relief Scheme”. This is a kind of fudge, and doesn’t really fit in with what huts are for. But it seems to be the best they can come up with at present. Other than rates, you may want to have insurance (£400/yr) and you may also have to convice Scottish Water that you don’t have a water supply, so they can stop annoying you with bills for a non-existant water-supply. It seems that when you get planning permission, the local authority tells the rates people and Scottish Water that a new building exists.
You’ve probably seen this already but if not, lots more information about the Hut building and planning process is here:
Best of luck with you hutting dreams. Hope you can make it a reality.