Council Tax discounts

A property that is empty (unoccupied and unfurnished) can get a 100% discount on Council Tax for up to 28 days.

However, this is a property discount and not a person discount.

This means that if the previous owner has used the empty property discount, then you will not be able to claim it.

If the previous owner did not receive the discount for the full 28 days, then you may be able to apply for the remainder.

For example, if the previous owner used only 10 of the 28 days you may be able to receive the discount for the remaining 18 days.

Apply for a Council Tax exemption

Long term empty properties

Some types of empty property may be exempt from paying Council Tax. However, if your property is empty for more than one year, and is not exempt, we will start charging an extra 50% Council Tax.

This premium is applied to discourage owners from keeping properties empty when there is such high demand for housing.

Please note that if you are taking on a new property that is already subject to this premium charge then you will have to pay the additional 50% Council Tax if you intend to keep the property empty upon purchasing it.

Charges commencing from 1 April 2025

The existing 50% Council Tax Premium will increase to:

• 100% for properties that have been empty and unfurnished for 1 year and over, up to 5 years. This means you will have to pay twice the normal rate.
• 200% for properties that have been empty and unfurnished for 5 years and over, up to 10 years. This means you will have to pay three times the normal rate.
• 300% for properties that have been empty and unfurnished for 10 years and over. This means you will have to pay four times the normal rate.