Charges for unoccupied and unfurnished properties
The following charges apply based on when your property first became unoccupied and unfurnished. There are no discounts available on these properties.
The first year – if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished the full 100% council tax charge will be payable for the property.
After one year – when the property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for one year then a 100% premium will be payable on top of the full charge. This will mean that a 200% charge will be payable.
After five years – when the property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for five years then a 200% premium will be payable on top of the full charge. This will mean that a 300% charge will be payable.
After ten years – when the property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for ten years then a 300% premium will be payable on top of the full charge. This will mean that a 400% charge will be payable.
You can find more information and advice on how to bring your empty property back into use on the empty residential properties page.
The premium will not be charged on a property that is:
- the main residence of service personnel who are posted away from home, or
- an annexe to a property that is being used as part of the main property
If your property is one of the above, tell us and we will cancel the premium charge.
Unfurnished
This means sufficient furniture has been removed to leave the property unable to be occupied. We would expect the following to be removed:
- beds
- chairs/sofa
- tables
- wardrobes
- cabinets
- televisions
- stereos
- personal belongings
We do not class curtains, carpets, fitted white goods (fridges, freezers, and washing machines) or fitted wardrobes as furniture.