Empty Properties

Unoccupied properties, uninhabitable properties undergoing repair and newly constructed properties do not receive council discount

A property is unoccupied when it is nobody's sole or main home (place of residence).

In response to the national housing shortage, the Government is working to encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back into use. Therefore, from 1st April 2019 the Government has agreed that councils can increase the empty homes Council Tax premium.

This affects properties that are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and have been for more than two years. The Council has decided to support the Governments intentions and implement these new premiums, and these are shown in the table below.

We recognise that this decision may cause you some financial pressures and we may be able to assist you with advice and guidance about returning your property to use; whether that is selling, bringing it up to a habitable standard to occupy yourself, or putting it onto the rental market. Please visit our Housing Empty Homes page for more information

New properties

Newly constructed properties, or properties created due to structural alterations.

No discounts are available if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished. Council Tax will become payable from the completion date. 

You will receive a notice stating the date from which we consider the property should be treated as substantially completed.