This report seeks agreement on changes to the Council’s current Council Tax empty homes discounts; provides information on legislative changes to the levels of Empty Home premium available and seeks approval to increase the current premium to the maxims allowed in the legislation.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that with effect from 1 April 2020 the ‘major repair work’ or ‘structural alteration’ discount on empty properties remains unchanged at 50% for 12 months; the discount in respect of unoccupied and substantially unfurnished discounts will be reduced from 1 month at 100% discount to no discount and the Empty Homes Premium is introduced at the the maximum levels allowed in the legislation where the property has been empty for 2, 5 or 10 more years as detailed in paragraph 1.2.1(iii) of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought agreement on changes to the Council’s current Council Tax empty homes discounts; provided information on legislative changes to the levels of Empty Home premium available and sought approval to increase the current premium to the maximums allowed in the legislation.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Local Authorities had discretion to charge between 0% and 100% Council Tax on properties which were empty.  Cabinet was satisfied that this decision would help encourage empty homes back into use as some owners may take action to improve or repair the property sooner thus preventing a negative impact on the neighbourhood.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     with effect from 1 April 2020 the ‘Major repair work’ or ‘structural alteration’ discount on empty properties remains unchanged at 50% for 12 months;

(2)     with effect from 1 April 2020 the discount in respect of unoccupied and substantially unfurnished discounts be reduced from 1 month at 100% discount to no discount as set out in paragraph 1.4.3 of the report; and

(3)     with effect from 1 April 2020 the Empty Homes Premium is introduced at the maximum levels allowed in the legislation where the property has been empty for 2, 5 or 10 years years as detailed in paragraph 1.4.3 of the report.