Tax rise to hit owners of empty properties in Wrexham

A council tax rise will hit owners of long-term empty properties and second homes in Wrexham county borough.

The local authority voted to bring in a levy amounting to an extra 50% - meaning those who currently pay £1,000 annually will be asked for £1,500.

Changes to the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 mean councils can now charge a premium of up to 100% extra.

An estimated 23,000 homes in Wales are empty or used as second homes.

The new levy in Wrexham will come into effect from April and property owners will be hit with it after they have been given 12 months written notice.

In a report, Wrexham council said if it worked on the assumption it had 200 long-term empty houses, the levy would bring in £130,000 annually.