Extra tax to bring long-term empty homes into use
A consultation has been launched after plans were unveiled that would see Council Tax on long-term empty homes increase by as much as 50%.
Politics & local government
Selby District Council is planning to introcuce the new charge following the introduction of new powers designed to force landlords to bring empty homes back into use and reduce the nationwide homes shortage. Dubbed the Empty Homes Premium, the law will enable the Council to charge owners of empty homes 150% of the usual Council Tax bill, where the property has been vacant and unfurnished for more than two years.
Assuming no changes are made to the plans following the consultation, the Council intends to bring the new rules into force from April 1st next year.
Presently, the typical bill for a Band A property in Selby is £1077.90 for the year. Under the new plans the owner of a home empty for more than two years would now be billed £1616.85 until the home is occupied.
Similarly a Band D property in Brayton is normally billed £1542.78. This would rise to £2314.17 if the Council's plan is enacted.
The additional charge is based on the empty status of the property and would not take into account if theit changes hands. This means that where a house is sold and remains unoccupied the new owner would become liable for the premium straight away and would pay the extra charge right up until the home becomes occupied.
The consultation runs until January 5th via a website survey at www.selby.gov.uk