We operate a proactive approach to ensure that empty homes do not remain empty unnecessarily and fall into misuse and dereliction.
If you have received an empty homes letter, please complete the form to confirm the current status so we can update our Council Tax records.
Complete the empty homes review form on Capacity Grid
To encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back into use, we have powers to increase the empty homes premium thresholds and reduce or remove discounts on Council Tax bills for homes left empty between 2 and 5 years.
Empty and unfurnished properties
There is no discount after a property becomes both unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and the full rate of Council Tax will be charged. You still need to inform us if your property becomes empty, unfurnished or unoccupied.
Complete the change of address form on My Account
Long term empty properties
With effect from 1 April 2019, where a property remains unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 2 years and is not otherwise exempt or prohibited, a premium of 100% of the bill will be added.
With effect from 1 April 2020, where a property remains unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 5 years and is not otherwise exempt or prohibited, a premium of 200% of the bill will be added.
With effect from 1 April 2021, where a property remains unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 10 years and is not otherwise exempt or prohibited, a premium of 300% of the bill will be added.
Financial help may be available for owners of empty homes to bring the home back into use, see grants and loans for empty homes.
Uninhabitable properties
There is no discount available for properties that are uninhabitable. In some circumstances if works to the property are substantial, the banding may be affected. You will need to appeal to the Valuation Office Agency directly and council tax payments will be required until a decision is made.
Please see Valuation Office Agency: Council Tax: domestic properties which are in disrepair or are derelict.