Since April 2013, billing authorities have
been able to charge an additional premium of 50% on properties
which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more
than two years. This means that the council tax charged is 150% of
the normal charge for that property.
Legislation has changed to allow councils to increase the premium
above the previous 50% limit, with the amount of the premium
increasing the longer the property is left empty. The Council will
be asked to agree to increase empty homes premiums to ensure that
empty homes are encouraged to be occupied.
The intention behind the legislation for the charging of premiums
is to encourage owners of long term empty properties to bring them
back into use in order to increase the supply of housing.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 25/07/2019
Decision due: 25 Sep 2019 by Cabinet
Decision due: 16 Oct 2019 by Full Council
Considered on: 23 Sep 2019 by Overview and Scrutiny Commission
Lead member: Leader of the Council
Contact: Karen Hayes, Head of Corporate Finance Email: karen.hayes@crawley.gov.uk.