Decision details

Changes to Council Tax Long Term Empty Property Premiums

Decision Maker: Council, Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To agree the change to the long term empty council tax premium on properties which have remained empty for more than two years

Decisions:

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

 

That the Authority exercises its discretion and changes the premium charged to long term empty property from 1.5 times the standard Council Tax for the said band, to the new ratios as set out in the table below (expressed as additional percentages of annual Council Tax);

 

Long term empty property criteria giving rise to additional Council Tax premiums;

 

From 1/4/2019 Financial Year

From 1/4/2020 Financial Year

From 1/4/2021 Financial Year

For Properties which have remained empty for at least 2 Years

100%

100%

100%

For Properties which have remained empty  for less than 5 Years

N/A

100%

100%

For Properties which have remained empty  for at least 5 & but less than 10 Years

N/A

200%

200%

For Properties which have remained empty for at least 10 Years

N/A

N/A

300%

 

Reason for Recommendation:  Agreeing the proposed changes to the Council Tax Premium would result in the Council generating an extra £60,000 in Council Tax revenue annually. More importantly it would discourage owners from keeping much needed residential property in the borough empty.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

 

[Call-in does not apply as the substantive decision is for full Council.]

Report author: Dawn Calvert

Publication date: 18/01/2019

Date of decision: 17/01/2019

Decided at meeting: 17/01/2019 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: