Council tax rise for empty homes

OWNERS of empty homes in Gloucester are likely to be slapped with a 150 per cent council tax increase if plans are approved next week.

Senior councillors will vote on proposals that would see council tax rise by up to four times on some properties that have been empty for a long period of time.

The council is set to enforce the move to help tackle homelessness as more than 150 families are stuck in temporary accommodation.

Properties that have been left empty or unfurnished for more than two years will see council tax rise 150 per cent from April.

And the figures will rise to 400 per cent from April 2021 if a property has been empty for 10 years or more. The following April this could be increased to a charge of double the amount of council tax due, for homes empty for more than two years but less than five. While homes empty for more than five years will attract three times the amount of tax.

According to a council document there are 353 empty homes in Gloucester – which represents 0.61 per cent of the total amount of houses in the district.

Gloucester City Council estimates if it introduces the new increase, it could raise an extra £225,791.78 in council tax for services. The council would retain £26,756.23 of it while the rest would go to Gloucestershire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

In Gloucester there are currently around 160 households in temporary accommodation.

By bringing empty properties back into use it will mean there are more homes available for people to rent or buy, according to the city council.

Councillor Jennie Watkins (C, Kingsway), cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “Homes that are standing empty not only often attract anti-social behaviour or vandalism but are also often places that could make perfectly good homes for people that are homeless. But we do recognise that there might be many reasons why a property is empty, which is why we’ve proposed introducing the charge gradually to give owners the chance to bring their houses back into use.

“And we are also offering a package of support through the Landlords Incentive Scheme to help property owners find and keep tenants.”

If approved, Gloucester would follow Cheltenham Borough Council which approved a rise in premium charge last month.

Gloucester City Council’s cabinet are likely to approve the increase at a meeting next week on January 9, from 6pm.