I own a one-bedroom flat in Kemp Town that I have been attempting to sell, but with no luck. It has been standing empty since I got married and I have moved into my wife’s property.

I spent a year completely refurbishing the flat and during this time was allowed exemption from council tax. Now Brighton and Hove City Council is demanding that I pay full council tax even though the property is empty and I am not using any services.

I understand that if the flat was broken into or caught fire I would expect the police and fire services to attend and I am more than willing to pay for these services. However, I am not using any other services so cannot understand why I am being billed for them.

I find it ironic that if I were to move back into the flat I would be entitled to a single person occupancy discount of 25%.

There must be many people in this situation, especially in this economic climate, who have been forced to put their homes up for sale or perhaps with elderly relatives who have gone into care and whose properties are up for sale and empty who are having to pay council tax for services they are not using.

When I contacted the council, I was told that this was Government legislation and that if I wanted to appeal I would have to “get the law changed which might take some time”.

I am appalled at this situation and am curious to find out how many other people are paying these taxes for services they are not receiving and what this money is being used for.

T Lambrechts, Chalky Road, Portslade