Council proposes tax changes for empty homes

The plans aim to increase housing stock and the development of affordable homes

Council officers have proposed changing the way long term empty properties in Wolverhampton are taxed in order to combat the city's housing pressures.

The plans by City of Wolverhampton Council are recommended for approval and aim to increase housing stock and the development of affordable homes.

Officers recommended reducing the minimum period for a council tax premium from two years to one year for long-term empty properties and introducing a 100% council tax premium for empty furnished properties.

The proposals could be introduced from April 2025 if approved.

The charges aims to bring "empty properties back into use more quickly than under the current charge" to help the shortage of homes.

A 12-month exemption would be provided for empty properties undergoing major repairs, the council said.

It added that long-term empty properties had negative effects on the community and could cause anti-social behaviour such as squatting or vandalism.

Proposing a premium for empty furnished properties would close a loophole where furnishing an empty property negates the Empty Home Premium, the authority continued.