A FLOOD victim has been ordered to stump up council tax despite assurances that he would be exempt for 12 months.

Jose Araujo and his wife Fiona McCarvill, were left without a permanent home after their Hove flat was damaged during last year’s summer flooding.

The couple moved into rented accommodation and received a letter from the council advising them their Hove property would be exempt from council tax for 12 months.

They have now received a letter advising them the exemption will be revoked from April 1.

The 58-year-old said: “Our concern is with the way this decision has been implemented.

“We feel that the full 12 months discount that was granted to us back in September 2014 should be allowed to run its length, this will give us the opportunity to just focus on the reconstruction of our property.

“The last few months have been a very stressful time for both my wife Fiona and myself and to be honest, we can do without additional complications at this moment.

“Both my wife and I pay our taxes and they include the council tax of the rented property we are in at the moment.”

The decision to revoke the council tax exemptions was taken at a full council meeting on December 11, following a public consultation. This consultation was part of the council budgets considerations for 2015/16.

Mr Araujo said he only received a letter of confirmation last weekend.

Councillor Ollie Sykes, lead member for finance, said: “The context of the rule-change is that we have a very serious shortage of homes in the city.

“In addition, the council needs to save £100m over the next four years due to reductions in government grants and rising costs.

“Ending the discount is intended to encourage owners to get properties repaired and occupied as fast as possible.

“Anyone suffering genuine hardship should contact our council tax team.

“The letter also contains advice on possible remedies via his insurer or the Valuation Office Agency, which can deem uninhabitable properties as effectively exempt from council tax.”