Council tax rise warning to owners of empty properties

THE owners of 800 Calderdale homes which have been empty for more than two years may have to pay 50 per cent more council tax under new proposals.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Oct 2013, 01:01 BST

Calderdale Council is planning to bring in changes to council tax exemptions in order to raise more money and to encourage more empty homes back into use.

On Monday, the council’s cabinet will be asked to bring in an empty homes ‘premium’ for properties empty for over two years. This will mean owners having to pay another 50 per cent on top of the full council tax.

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The proposals will bring Calderdale into line with Kirklees, Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield which have already implemented a 150 per cent council tax charge for long-term empty homes.

Calderdale is considering an exemption from council tax for up to six months in the case of severe flooding or fire which renders the property uninhabitable.

Coun Barry Collins, cabinet member for economy and environment said: “There is a shortage of housing in Calderdale. It’s vital that we make more, high quality homes available and this proposed change supports the delivery of the Calderdale empty homes strategy. Properties which are left vacant for years blight communities.

“These changes should help to tackle this problem and at the same time provide much needed homes.”

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New owners, who bring a long-term empty home back into use within one year of purchase, could receive an additional cash incentive. The cabinet will be asked to consider the repayment of the empty homes premium to the new owner from the time of the change of ownership until the time when someone moves in.

The cabinet will also be asked to endorse a temporary, 30-day council tax exemption, when a property first becomes vacant. This recognises the transition between owners or new tenants and will help the council monitor the number of empty homes.

The final recommendation is for the introduction of an emergency council tax exemption for flood or fire damage.

Coun Steve Sweeney, cabinet member for communities, said: “By providing this exemption we want to support people, and communities, which are trying to get back on their feet in difficult circumstances.”

Related topics:CalderdalePropertiesCalderdale CouncilWakefieldLeedsBradfordKirklees