Cost of second homes to increase in Lichfield as empty properties will face additional council tax
The cost of having a second home or leaving a house empty is set to increase across Lichfield district as new measures agreed last year are set to come into effect. The measures are set to come into force in April.
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The policy was agreed at a full council meeting last year but now cabinet members at Lichfield District Council are being asked to approve the adaptation and publication of the new policy.
This means from April, empty homes will face an additional council tax premium.
For properties that have been unoccupied for one year owners will pay 200 per cent council tax, if a property is unoccupied for five years a 300 per cent council tax levied and if a property is unoccupied for more than ten years property owners will pay 400 per cent council tax.
A premium is also being added to second homes.
If the measures are approved and adopted by cabinet members on 11 February, second home owners will pay an additional 100 per cent council tax – effectively doubling the rate they are paying now. The council say the empty and second homes take vital housing stock out of the use for residents.
Currently there are over 500 local families and individuals waiting for a home and on the housing register. The council states the policy will encourage owners to bring houses back into use and help address the housing shortages in the district.
A projection of empty homes in the district carried out in December projected there were 151.4 empty homes. Therefore the council is estimating that the measure will generate £326,000 in council tax.
The report by Councillor Rob Strachan, cabinet member for finance and commission, said: “The policy introduces revised council tax premiums to incentivise the swift occupation and use of empty homes and proactively manage second home ownership. It aims to reduce housing shortages, ensure fair contributions toward local services, and provide relief to taxpayers experiencing exceptional hardship. A series of further measures will be implemented alongside this to tackle empty homes.
“Currently the council offers homeowners who are carrying out major works or structural alterations to make a property habitable the opportunity to apply for a 50% discount on their council tax bill for a maximum of one-year. The new policy does not incorporate this discount and instead offers such homeowners a 12-month exemption from a proposed empty homes premium.”
