Big rise in tax on empty homes

Property owners warned by councils

Council tax is set to be quadrupled for people who leave homes empty for long periods.

Local authorities in the Westcountry are planning massive hikes in tax after the government changed the rules earlier this year.

Homes left empty for two years could see their council tax doubled, and after ten years some councils will charge a quadruple premium.

Although the increase would rake in a small cash bonus for town halls, Cllr Alan Connett, Lib Dem spokesman on Teignbridge Council, said it would help to bring empty homes back into use at a time of “a national housing crisis”.

Owners of empty homes could be hit with massive increases in council tax.

Some Westcountry local authorities are set to quadruple tax on properties that have been empty for more than ten years.

Even being two years empty could see council tax doubled.

Since April 2013 local authorities in England have been able to charge a premium of up to 50% on long-term empty properties.

Teignbridge District Council in Devon is leading the way, with a proposal going to councillors next Tuesday to quadruple council tax. The increase would rake in a small bonus for councils but, more importantly, it is aimed at freeing up much-needed homes.

Teignbridge has 87 homes which have been empty for more than two years – with 16 vacant for ten years or longer.

Cllr Alan Connett, Liberal Democrat finance spokesman on Teignbridge Council, said: “There is a national housing crisis with 1.6 million families on waiting lists for what we used to call council housing.

“The new council tax will hopefully encourage owners either to bring the properties up to date and into use, or sell them if they cannot afford repairs and renovations.

“Sometimes people inherit a property and may not be in a position to manage it. Help and support can be provided to bring houses back into use and lift the burden off the owners shoulders.”

Under the plan, Teignbridge will charge double council tax from next April for homes empty for more than two years. In 2020, that will rise to triple for homes empty more than five years. From 2021, homes left vacant for more than 10 years will pay four times standard council tax rate.

There are some exemptions, including homes which would be the sole or main residence of a person who lives in armed forces accommodation. Torbay Council will consider increasing the empty homes premium from 50% to 100% at its meeting next Wednesday.

‘Help and support... to bring houses back into use’

Torridge District Council is also reviewing council tax. Simon Toon, customer support manager, said: “A report will be delivered to the council’s internal overview and scrutiny committee next month and if they agree to any changes a further report will go to full council in January.”

Exeter City Council is putting a similar report before the executive and full council in December, but would limit the increase to a maximum premium of 100%.

In Mid Devon, Andrew Jarrett, director of finance and deputy chief executive, said they would be looking at empty homes in early January.

Councillor Alan Connett