Empty homes are a target for 100% rise in Council Tax payments

» EMPTY homes in Cheltenham are likely to be slapped with a 100 per cent council tax increase if plans are approved next week.

Properties that have been left empty or unfurnished for more than two years will see council tax rise 100 per cent from April 2019.

And the figures will rise to 300 per cent from April 2021 if a property has been empty for 10 years or more.

In October 2018, total of 119 properties in the town had been empty for more than two years, up from 80 October last year, a borough council document said.

The council believes if those 119 properties are hit by the council tax rise next spring, the income would increase by £12,000 for the authority, £73,000 for Gloucestershire County Council and £13,000 for the police.

The cabinet are set to approve the decision and will then be sent to a council meeting for full approval on Monday, December 10.

If approved, the plans will come into effect as of Monday, April 1 2019.

Under the proposal, the council tax empty homes premium will increase to:

» 100 per cent from April 2019 in respect of properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than two years

» From April 2020, the premium will rise for properties which have been empty for five years or more to 200 per cent

» From April 2021, it will increase for all properties which have been empty for 10 years or more to 300 per cent.

New government legislation has allowed the council to increase council tax on empty homes to 100 per cent, when before authorities could only charge an extra 50 per cent.