From 1 April 2016 the Council implemented discretionary Council Tax legislation - where a property that has been classed as ‘long term empty’ continuously for at least two years will be subject to a 50% premium being added to the Council Tax charge.
A property is classed as empty where it has been unoccupied and unfurnished. Where it is empty for a continuous period of two years or more and a statutory exemption or discount is not applied, a ‘Long Term Empty Premium’ of 50% will be levied.
Once a long term empty premium is added to your Council Tax account you will be required to make payment against the increased amount.
Should you fail to do so, further recovery action will be taken against you.
The discretionary legislation was brought in by the Government for Council’s to implement to encourage owners and landlords to bring empty properties back into use to help ease the shortage of domestic accommodation.
For further advice on how to bring empty properties back into use please visit our improving your home page.
At the Council’s discretion, the Long Term Empty Premium may be temporarily removed where:
The property is actively being marketed for sale. (Evidence must be provided to support any claims that a property is being marketed for sale, such as a copy of the agreement with selling agents, the number of enquiries received and viewings arranged or completed, etc.)
The property is actively being marketed for let. (Evidence must be provided to support any claims that a property is being marketed for let, such as a copy of the agreement with letting/managing agents, the number of enquiries received and viewings arranged or completed, etc.)
Further Information
For further information please contact:
Telephone: 01283 508030 - Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm
From 1 April 2016 the Council implemented discretionary Council Tax legislation - where a property that has been classed as ‘long term empty’ continuously for at least two years will be subject to a 50% premium being added to the Council Tax charge.
A property is classed as empty where it has been unoccupied and unfurnished. Where it is empty for a continuous period of two years or more and a statutory exemption or discount is not applied, a ‘Long Term Empty Premium’ of 50% will be levied.
Once a long term empty premium is added to your Council Tax account you will be required to make payment against the increased amount.
Should you fail to do so, further recovery action will be taken against you.
What will happen if you don’t pay your Council Tax
The discretionary legislation was brought in by the Government for Council’s to implement to encourage owners and landlords to bring empty properties back into use to help ease the shortage of domestic accommodation.
For further advice on how to bring empty properties back into use please visit our improving your home page.
At the Council’s discretion, the Long Term Empty Premium may be temporarily removed where:
Further Information
For further information please contact:
Telephone: 01283 508030 - Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm
Email: council.tax@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Write to us: Revenues Team, PO Box 8045, Burton upon Trent, DE14 9JG