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  10. Long Term Empty Properties

Long Term Empty Properties

If your property has been empty for two years or more, you will be charged a Long Term Empty Dwellings Premium.

Since April 2013 Councils have had the discretion to charge up to 50% premium for properties that have been empty for more than two years.  This increased the amount payable to 150% of the usual Council Tax. From 1 April 2019 legislation now allows this premium to be increased.  

Following the Full Council meeting on 6 March 2019, the decision was made to use this discretion. The Long Term Empty Premium will be charged as follows:

  • From 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2019 an additional 50% Council Tax premium for properties empty longer than two years, raised the Council Tax to 150%
  • From 1 April 2019 a 100% Council Tax premium will apply on properties empty longer than two years, raising the Council Tax to 200%  
  • From 1 April 2020 for properties empty longer than five years, an additional 100% Council Tax premium will raise the Council Tax to 300%
  • And from 1 April 2021 properties empty longer than 10 years will be subject to a further 100% Council Tax premium, raising the Council Tax to 400%

 The direct financial benefits from Council Tax income from this change are small for us. The main benefits of this change are to the district and communities, as an incentive to encourage empty homes back into use.  For information on bringing empty homes back into use, please visit our Empty Homes page.

Council Tax Discretionary Discount
We may be able to consider a short term waiver of the additional premium charged. Any reduction is granted under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.  The cost of any reduction is met by increasing the charge to the other Council Taxpayers of the District.  Each case will be considered on its own merit in accordance with our Section 13a Policy (PDF) [613KB] .  You will need to clearly set out the circumstances of your situation, including relevant dates and future plans for the dwelling.