Long Term Empty Property Premium
An additional amount of Council Tax (a Premium) is charged when a property has been empty and unfurnished for two years or more, regardless of any change in ownership.
The Government introduced an amendment to legislation in October 2023 – the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, which allows councils to charge the Council Tax premium on long term empty unfurnished properties after 1 year, previously the premium was applied after 2 years. This change applies with effect from 1st April 2024.
These charges will still apply if you have just purchased a property that has previously been empty as the charges relate to the property and are not related to the ownership.
|
Duration |
Charge |
|
1 to 5 years |
a premium of 100% making a total payable of 200% of the full Council Tax charge. |
|
5 to 10 years |
a premium of 200% making a total payable of 300% of the full Council Tax charge. |
|
More than 10 years |
a premium of 300% making a total payable of 400% of the full Council Tax charge. |
To ensure the Council Tax is correct, please inform the Council Tax office when your property is either sold or let providing full details of the new tenants or owner.
For properties only lived in occasionally (periodically occupied) a premium of 100% in addition to the standard rate of council tax for the property is planned to take effect from 1 April 2025. Further information regarding this will be available nearer to the time.
Empty homes strategy in Sefton
For information or advice regarding empty homes in Sefton please see 'The Empty Homes Plan 2019 - 2024' on www.sefton.gov.uk/emptyhomesplan, alternatively you can contact the Housing Standards team on 0345 140 0845 or email private.housing@sefton.gov.uk.
Please note - The Empty Homes Plan and webpage is currently being reviewed and will be updated in April 2024. The updated version will include information about Council Tax Premium as explained above.