UK Council Tax Premium on Empty Properties
From April 2020, the premium is 100% Council Tax for properties that are empty and unfurnished for more than two years but less than five which doubles the amount of Council Tax payable. For properties that are empty for more than 5 years, a 200% premium is applied which trebles the amount of Council Tax payable.
Do you pay council tax on empty property UK?
Extra charges for long term empty properties
If your property has been empty and unfurnished for 2 years or more, you’ll be charged double the amount of council tax you would normally pay. If it has been empty and unfurnished for 5 years or more, you’ll be charged triple the normal rate.
How can I avoid paying council tax on an empty property?
An empty property will be exempt from council tax when the property is:
- Owned by a registered charity and last used for charitable purposes.
- Part of the estate of a person who has died, for up to 6 months after the grant of probate or letters of administration, unless probate determines ownership.
Do you pay rates on an empty property UK?
The owner is responsible for paying rates on an empty property. Four per cent early payment discount is applied to empty property rates.
How long can you leave a house empty?
30 to 60 days
Generally, there are no set-rules in place that state how long you can leave your unoccupied property vacant for. However, it is important to note that most standard home insurance providers will only cover an empty property for 30 to 60 days.
What happens if a house is left empty?
Consequences of leaving your home empty
Leaving your property empty means it can fall into disrepair, attract vandalism, crime and rubbish dumping. You also lose out financially as you do not receive rental income, have increased insurance premiums and you have to pay full Council Tax.
Why do empty houses deteriorate?
Abandoned buildings decay quickly for a number of reasons, including leaks and damage in the ceiling and floor, a lack of maintenance and external factors, such as animals and the ambient weather.