Council Tax Premiums on Long Term Empty Properties and Second Homes in Conwy
Conwy County Borough Council is using its discretion under section12A and 12B of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992 inserted by section 139 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, to charge an additional Council Tax premium for those dwellings which are defined either as second homes, or long term empty properties.
For the purposes of charging a premium, a long-term empty home is defined as a dwelling which is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for a continuous period of at least 1 year. A second home is defined as a dwelling which is not a person’s sole or main home and is substantially furnished.
There are certain exceptions from the Council Tax premiums for example, if your property is being actively marketed for rent or sale for a period of up to 12 months. Further information on the Council Tax premiums and the exceptions can be found online by visiting the Welsh Government website and searching for ‘Council Tax Premiums’.
On 23rd January 2020 (Minute 700 refers), Council resolved to revoke the decision to charge 50% premium on long-term empty properties and second homes. It was replaced with a determination to continue with a premium of 25% on both long-term empty homes and second homes from 1st April 2020. It was also resolved to increase the level of premium on both categories to 50% from 1st April 2021, subject to a review during 2021/2022.
A Task and Finish Group will be established to review the premium. A report will be returned to Council following the review by the Task and Finish Group.
A further consultation on the proposed premiums is currently being undertaken by Conwy County Borough Council and we would value your input into the consultation. The consultation results will be considered by the Task and Finish Group.
This consultation closed on 26 June 2020.