Council Tax
The Council is committed to encouraging owners of long term empty properties (those empty for over 2 years) to bring them back into use quicker to support the provision of housing available within the borough.
As of 1 April 2020, changes will be made to Council Tax charges to introduce an additional premium for properties that have been empty and unfurnished for more than 2 years. Long term empty properties can attract squatters, vandalism and anti-social behaviour and are a blight on the community and this change aims to tackle this.
These changes are intended to 5 complement and enhance the Councils empty property policy which clearly sets out the Councils approach to addressing long term empty properties in the borough.
Changes to the Council Tax Long Term Empty Premium charge are as follows:
| Effective Date | Empty Period | Exsisting Premium | Proposed Premium |
| 1 April 2020 | 2 to 5 years | 50% | 100% |
| 5 years + | 50% | 200% | |
| 1 April 2021 | 2 to 5 years | 50% | 100% |
| 5 to 10 years | 50% | 200% | |
| 10 years + | 50% | 300% |
Further, from 1 April 2020 the amount of discount eligible for second homes in the borough will be reduced from 10% to 0%, therefore introducing a 100% charge for second homes.