Tax hike warning to owners of empty city properties

A COUNCIL tax hike could be on the way for owners of empty properties in Cardiff in a bid to bring them back into use.

The 50% council tax discount for unoccupied and unfurnished homes could be removed in the city after the council’s cabinet approved the plans on Thursday.

The removal of the discount would take effect from April 2019 if passed by the full council.

Cardiff council’s cabinet has also agreed to consult on plans for charging a council tax premium for longterm empty homes.

Councils can charge a premium of up to 100% on properties left unoccupied or substantially unfurnished for more than a year.

It is estimated an extra £600,000 of council tax charges would be raised by removing the current discount and a further £300,000 would be raised by a premium of 50%.

Proposals for adding a premium to council tax, following the consultation, would also have to be passed by full council.

There are currently more than 3,400 empty homes in Cardiff and 857 of these have been vacant for more than 12 months.

Roath has the largest number of long-term empty properties with 104, while Grangetown has 71, Cathays has 45, and

Canton has 44.

Councillor

Chris Weaver, the council’s cabinet member for finance, told the cabinet meeting on November 15: “This is not about making money. The intention is to get these properties back into use.”

Cllr Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities, added: “When you look at the number of vacant properties around the city it looks as if they are in areas where there’s a high demand and low

availability.” Councillor Chris Weaver There are currently more than 3,400 empty homes in Cardiff and 857 of these have been vacant for more than 12 months

This is not about making money. The intention is to get these properties back into use.