Homeowners in East Staffordshire with vacant properties could soon face a hefty increase in council tax, with premiums of up to 300% for long-term empty homes.
Currently, East Staffordshire Borough Council applies a 50% surcharge on properties left unoccupied for more than two years.
However, new budget proposals suggest significantly higher charges based on how long a home has been empty.
If approved, the changes will take effect in 2025 and are expected to generate £108,000 annually.
How the New Premiums Will Work
Under the revised system:
• Homes left empty for more than one year but less than five will be subject to a 100% premium.
• Properties vacant for over five years but under ten will see a 200% premium added.
• Homes unoccupied for more than ten years will be hit with a 300% premium.
The council states the aim of the policy is to encourage property owners to bring homes back into use and help ease local housing pressures.
A statement from the council’s budget report reads:
“The council has reviewed its current Council Tax Empty Homes Premiums and proposes to amend these so that the full council tax premium regulations on empty homes are applied from 2025/26, with the aim of encouraging owners to bring properties back into use and reduce housing pressures within the borough.”
Alongside the empty homes crackdown, the council is also planning a 2.98% council tax increase, equating to an extra 11p per week for a Band D property.
This proposal is set for approval at the next full council meeting on 17 February.
The changes come as the council anticipates zero growth in core government funding, prompting a cost-cutting initiative.
From the next financial year, it aims to save £264,000 through budget reductions and increased income.
If approved, the new council tax premiums and rate increases will take effect in April 2025.
