Council Tax charges for long-term empty properties
You may have to pay more Council Tax, known as a Council Tax empty homes premium, if your property has been empty for a long period of time.
These charges will still apply if you have just purchased a property that has previously been empty as the charges relate to the property and are not related to the ownership.
If you are purchasing a property which is currently empty, your solicitor should advise you of how long the property has been empty, and if any premiums have been applied.
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| 2 to 5 years | 200% or twice as much as an occupied property |
| 5 to 10 years | 300% or 3 times as much as an occupied property |
| More than 10 years | 400% or 4 times as much as an occupied property |
For full details of Council Tax empty homes premiums, check the Council Tax Discounts and Premiums Policy (PDF, 242 KB).
How to pay
If any of the above applies to you and your property has been empty for a long time, contact us so that we can adjust your bill.