What are you looking for?

Empty property Council Tax premiums

Find out what extra Council Tax you may have to pay if you own an empty property, and whether you may qualify for an exemption or an exception to the premium.

Long-term empty property premium

The following levies will be charged in addition to the standard council tax charge:

Properties empty for more than 1 year, but less than 5 years

Pay 100% additional premium

Properties empty for more than 5 years, but less than 10 years

Pay 200% additional premium

Properties empty for more than 10 years

Pay 300% additional premium

Long-term empty property premium exception

Long-term empty property exceptions bring the council tax charge back down to the normal 100%. 

How to qualify

You may qualify for relief from the premium if it's empty because:

  • it requires or is undergoing major repairs or structural alterations (12 months limit)
  • it is being actively marketed for sale or letting (12 months limit)
  • the owner has died and probate has been granted (12 months limit)

A full list of exception categories is available on gov.uk. Contact us if you need further guidance.

How to apply

If you believe you qualify for an exception to the premium, please contact us with the following details so we can consider your application:

  • information about the property
  • evidence to support your application

We will notify you of our decision as soon as possible.

Council Tax

Contact the Council Tax team