Issue - meetings

To consider the Council Tax Premium for long term empty report.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services presented the report seeking approval of the Executive recommendation made on 4 December 2018 for the current long term empty homes council tax premium to be increased from the current 50% levy to the relevant maximums set down in the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018. He advised that this proposal would put direct pressure on people to bring empty homes back into use.

Members welcomed this report and acknowledged the support that was provided from the Council to encourage empty homes back into use.

It was proposed by Councillor Barker and seconded by Councillor Cox and unanimously:-

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018, to approve an increase in the premiums being charged on long term empty properties as follows:-

(1)       From 1^st April 2019 onwards to increase the premium up to the maximum of 100% for properties that have been empty for 2 years or more;

(2)       From 1^st April 2020 onwards to increase this to 200% for properties that have been empty for 5 years or more; and

(3)       From 1^st April 2021 onwards to increase this to 300% for properties that have been empty for 10 years or more.

To consider the report on the Council Tax premium for long term empty.

RECOMMENDEDto Council on 14 January 2019 to raise the premiums being charged on long term empty properties as follows:-

(1)          From April 2019 onwards to increase the premium up to the maximum of 100% for properties that have been empty for more than 2 years;

(2)          From April 2020 onwards to increase this to 200% for properties that have been empty for more than 5 years; and

(3)          From April 2021 onwards to increase this to 300% for properties that have been empty for more than 10 years.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources presented the report on the Council Tax premium for long term empty homes. He advised that legislation had been changed which would allow an increase in the long term empty homes council tax premium. The Council currently had 87 properties that were subject to the 50% empty homes premium and the council tax premium put pressure on owners to bring properties back into use.

The Leader commented that Teignbridge District Council was the only District in Devon to reduce its number of empty homes year on year.

RECOMMENDEDto Council on 14 January 2019 to raise the premiums being charged on long term empty properties as follows:-

(1)          From April 2019 onwards to increase the premium up to the maximum of 100% for properties that have been empty for more than 2 years;

(2)          From April 2020 onwards to increase this to 200% for properties that have been empty for more than 5 years; and

(3)          From April 2021 onwards to increase this to 300% for properties that have been empty for more than 10 years.