We are holding a consultation about proposals to increase a council tax premium paid by the owners of empty homes in Charnwood.

We are seeking views on possible changes to the empty homes premium following new powers which have been given to local authorities by the Government.

There are more than 200,000 properties across the country which have been empty for six months or more and in Charnwood that figure is just under 500.

The borough council is keen to encourage home-owners to bring the properties back into use – either by selling them or renting them out.

We currently levy a 50 per cent premium on council tax to anyone who has a property which has been empty for two years. The extra money goes into funding the same services as normal council tax. 

We are considering increasing the empty homes premium in Charnwood to 100 per cent from April next year and we are seeking views on that and some other proposed changes.

The average band D council tax bill in Loughborough is currently £1,698. Anyone paying the empty homes premium currently would be charged £2,547. Under the proposed new charge of 100 per cent, that bill would be £3,396.

There are exemptions to the premium, such as for people serving in the Armed Forces.

As part of the changes, we are also considering whether to increase the empty homes premium to 200 per cent for properties which have been empty for five years and then 300 per cent for properties which have been empty for 10 years.

We also want views on changing the current arrangements for the discount for unoccupied or uninhabitable properties. Currently, if a property is uninhabitable owners get a 50 per cent discount for 12 months on council tax. We are considering changing that to 100 per cent for six months to encourage property owners to bring homes back into use sooner.

The consultation runs until January 6, 2019. Following the consultation, the Council's Cabinet will make a recommendation to full council about whether to introduce any changes to the premium. 

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Last updated: Tue 9th April, 2019 @ 08:44