Council Tax premiums rise for empty and second homes
Council Tax premiums will rise on empty and second homes in the District from April 2026.
Blaby District Council members approved the changes at the January Full Council meeting.
The rise comes following a change in the regulations by the Government, allowing local authorities to put up existing charges.
The aim is to encourage owners to bring unused homes back into use by renting or selling, to help fill the need for more housing in the District. It is hoped this will help increase available housing stock and reduce rising homelessness cases.
The increase targets homes that have been vacant for more than one year, increasing after five years and 10 years.
Properties that are empty due to probate, the owner living in residential care and houses undergoing significant renovations are exempt from the changes.
Currently there are 195 properties which would be subject to an empty homes premium (this excludes those properties that are exempt from the Council Tax charge, and therefore the premium). Most have been empty up to five years, with 13 sitting in five to 10 years and 20 sitting in the over 10- year category.
By law any authority wanting to increase the charges had to make a resolution at least 12 months before the financial year of introduction.
This prompted the Council to run a public consultation from 18 November 2024 to 6 January 2025.
There were 220 responses with a significant majority in favour of increased premiums.
The Council’s Cabinet Executive approved the changes on 13 January 2025. The Full Council decision ratified this.
Councillor Cheryl Cashmore, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: "We believe these changes will benefit the district, aiding us in increasing available housing. Letting properties lie empty, especially smaller homes which are most in demand, is a sad waste of good housing stock. It is hoped these premiums may encourage owners to bring their homes back into use, and help with our increasing homelessness demand."
Councillor Cheryl Cashmore
Portfolio Holder for Finance