Empty Properties

In 2005, East Staffordshire Borough Council adopted an Empty Property Strategy, which demonstrates the Council’s commitment to bringing empty properties within the borough back into use as people’s homes.

As part of the strategy, it was decided that the system of Council Tax discounts would be reduced for domestic properties that are not used as anyone’s main home. We hope that this discourages owners from leaving properties unused and will provide more homes for people to live in.

Changes to the Council Tax regulations were introduced in 2003 by the Government to give Council’s the discretion to vary discounts on both empty and furnished second properties, as appropriate for their specific areas. Following the adoption of ESBC’s strategy it was decided from 1st April 2006 to reduce the discounts applied to accounts for two classes of properties that are not being used as anyone’s main home. Prior to 1st April 2006 a 50% discount was applied to these accounts.

Furnished Properties not used as anyone’s main home

From the date a property becomes unoccupied but remains furnished and it is not used as anyone’s main home we will apply a 10% discount from the full council tax charge. (In cases where the taxpayer or spouse occupies another property and one of the properties is contractually job-related there is an exception to this rule).

Unfurnished Properties not used as anyone’s main home

This applies to all unfurnished property that has been empty for no less than six months. No discount is available. There are exceptions to this where one of a number of different Exemptions are in force. In those cases the discount reduction will apply when the exemption has ended. There are no changes to the Council Tax Exemptions. See the Council Tax exemptions page for more information.

If you would like to speak to someone about the market for housing and bringing an empty property back into use, please contact our Housing Officer on 01283 508149. You can also visit the following page on our website:
http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/Services/Housing/Pages/EmptyProperties.aspx