Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director

The Managing Director submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting approval of changes to the Council Tax empty property premium.

The submitted report stated that a 50% Council Tax premium (additional charge) had been introduced in April 2013 for all unoccupied and unfurnished domestic properties which had been empty for two years or more, which was the maximum the Council was permitted to charge at that time.

The submitted report informed Members that new legislation had been introduced in November 2018, which allowed Councils to increase the Council Tax premium for properties empty for 2 years or more to 100% (double the Council Tax normally charged), increase the Council Tax premium for properties empty for 5 years or more to 200% (treble the Council Tax normally charged), and increase the Council Tax premium for properties empty for 10 years or more to 300% (quadruple the Council Tax normally charged).

The submitted report advised that consultation had been undertaken with the owners of long-term empty properties, and the submitted report outlined the proposed changes to the Council Tax empty property premium from April 2020. These proposals were considered by the Efficiency and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 12 September 2019, and the Committee confirmed support of the proposed changes, and the proposals were also considered by Cabinet on 5 November 2019, who agreed its onward submission for consideration by Council.

RESOLVED - That the changes to the Council Tax empty property premium, as outlined in the submitted report, be approved, which are to:-

(i)            Increase the Council Tax premium for properties empty for 2 years or more to 100% from April 2020;

(ii)          Increase the Council Tax premium for properties empty for 5 years or more to 200% from April 2020;

(iii)         Increase the Council Tax premium for properties empty for 10 years or more to 300% from April 2021; and

(iv)         Provide protection for those owners who are making genuine efforts to bring their long-term empty properties back into use.

REASONS - (a) To further encourage landlords and property owners to bring their empty homes back into use as soon as possible.

(b) To reduce the detrimental impact long-term empty properties can have on other nearby properties and local communities.

(c) To increase the supply of much needed housing in Darlington, as most long-term empty properties could be brought back into use as affordable homes.

(d) To penalise those owners who deliberately leave their properties empty for years.