Decisions on Council Tax Premium on second homes and long term empty homes on Agendas for meetings

Decisions on Council Tax Premium on second homes and long term empty homes on Agendas for meetings

Council Tax Premium on second homes and long term empty homes to be decided

Councillors at Conwy County Borough Council will decide the level of Council Tax Premium on second homes and long term empty homes in Conwy County for 2026/27 at meetings during October.

A Public consultation took place in July and received 396 responses. Councillors will consider the responses as part of their decision making process and will also look at the wider implications and consequences associated with different levels of council tax premiums.

Council Tax Premiums are a way for local authorities to encourage owners to bring empty properties into use, to support the increase of affordable housing for purchase or to let and to try to enhance the sustainability of local communities.

Councillors will be asked to decide whether to accept the recommendations from the Affordable Housing (Council Tax Premium) Working Group which met last month:

• Retain the 150% Council Tax Premium for second homes for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28.
• Retain the 200% Council Tax Premium for long term empty homes for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28.
• Retain the current 300% Council Tax Premium for long term empty homes that have been empty for 5 years or more for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28.
• Continue to not apply a discount in respect of second homes and holiday homes and long term unoccupied and unfurnished properties in the prescribed Classes A, B and C for the financial year 2026/27.

The revenue raised from extra premiums goes towards supporting the pressures on the Council’s housing budget.

There are a range of measures available to help support anyone with an empty home to bring it back into use. Owners are encouraged to contact the Council’s housing team: emptyhomes@conwy.gov.uk or call 01492 574235.

The report about Premiums was discussed by the Council’s Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee (6 October) and will go to Cabinet (14 October) before a final decision is made by Council (23 October). The meetings can be watched on the Council’s website here: Conwy Local Democracy : Monthly meetings calendar - October 2025