Issue - meetings

Cabinet, at its meeting on 7 December 2018, will consider a report on the level of premium to be applied to long-term empty dwellings.

The report of the head of finance, which Cabinet will consider on 7 December, is attached.

The recommendations of Cabinet will be circulated to all councillors on 7 December.

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations, made at its meeting on 7 December 2018, on the level of premium to be applied to long-term empty dwellings.

RESOLVED:  that in accordance with the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018 the Long Term Empty Property Premium (currently set at a 50%) is:

(i)        increased to 100% from 1 April 2019 for those properties which are empty for two years and over;

(ii)       increased to 200% premium from 1 April 2020 for those properties which are empty for five years and over;

(iii)      increased to 300% premium from 1 April 2021 for those properties which are empty for 10 years and over. 

To consider the head of finance’s report. 

Cabinet considered the head of finance’s report on a council tax premium on empty homes. 

The Cabinet member for finance reported that new legislation had been passed that allowed councils to apply a higher premium on council tax due on long-term empty homes.  He advised Cabinet to recommend Council to charge the premiums permitted by the legislation. 

Cabinet noted the number of homes that would be affected in the district and the financial implications for the council.  In answer to questions from Cabinet members, it was reported that inspections took place regularly to determine whether homes were empty.  Cabinet suggested that parish councils should be reminded how to inform this council if they became aware of empty properties.  It was suggested that this should be raised at the next Town and Parish Council Forum. 

Cabinet supported the recommendation, believing that this would encourage the owners of empty homes to bring them back into occupation and increase the supply of homes available. 

RECOMMENDED to Council:

(a)      that in accordance with the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018, the Long Term Empty Property Premium (currently set at a 50%) is:

(i)        increased to 100% from 1 April 2019 for those properties which are empty for two years and over;

(ii)       increased to 200% premium from 1 April 2020 for those properties which are empty for five years and over;

(iii)      increased to 300% premium from 1 April 2021 for those properties which are empty for 10 years and over.