Empty Homes Premium

On 1 April 2013 the Government introduced a new long-term empty property premium for properties which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for a period of one year or more.

The Rating (property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018, allows councils to levy a higher amount of Council Tax for long-term empty properties.

The premium is intended as an incentive to owners to ensure properties are occupied as soon as possible and not left empty. Oadby & Wigston, like much of the UK, has significant demand for housing and bringing empty homes back into use is an effective and environmentally friendly way of helping to meet this need. Unfortunately, empty homes also attract vandalism, squatting and anti-social behaviour within our community.

An empty property premium cannot be charged if:

• The property that had attracted the premium is let out. The tenant will then become liable for council tax payments. The premium will cease to apply because the property is no longer empty.
• The property is empty because the owner has to live in the armed forces accommodation for job-related purposes.
• The property is an annexe that is being used as part of the main property (annexes will often have a council tax band of their own).

The Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023 makes further amendments to long-term empty properties.

From 1 April 2024, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council are making changes to the premiums charged.

The table below sets out these changes which will be reflected on the annual bills for 2024/25.

There is advice and support available for empty property owners, such as our private sector leasing scheme. Details of the scheme can be found by visiting www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/privatelettings.

Alternatively, our Private Sector Housing team may be able to provide further advice on 0116 257 2637.

If you require any further information regarding long-term empty property premiums, please contact the Council Tax Team on 0116 288 8961 (option 3).

Second Home Premiums

From April 1 2025 the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023 introduces discretionary powers for local authorities to set a 100% empty homes premium to “substantially furnished” properties that have no permanent resident. This covers properties that are used as second homes by their owners.

On 26 March 2024, the Council’s Policy, Finance and Development Committee agreed to approve the amendments to this policy to introduce the Second Homes Premiums.

If a property is furnished but no one lives there, or the owner’s main home is elsewhere, then it is likely to qualify as a second home for Council Tax purposes and incur the additional 100% premium

You can view our Council Tax charges on Empty Properties Policy in full below.

Council Tax charges on Empty Properties Policy (PDF Document, 265.62 Kb)