Empty Homes Premium to increase.

From 1 April 2020 we will be increasing the Empty Homes Premium. 

If a property has been empty for 2 years the premium will be 100%. This will mean the charge will be 200% of the council tax owed on the property.

If a property has been empty for 5 years the premium will be 200%. This will mean the charge will be 300% of the council tax owed on the property.

Under Section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Councils can charge a Council Tax premium for long term empty dwellings. From 1^st April 2019, Local Government Authorities were given new powers, under the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax Act 2018 which came into force in November 2018.