Empty Home Owners Face Tax Premiums

Owners of empty homes Harborough are set to be charged more in tax in a bid to bring back them into use.

Harborough District Council wants to charge double the standard council tax payment if properties are left unoccupied for between one and five years, three times as much for between five to ten years and a 400% premium if left empty for over ten years.

Currently owners can apply for a council tax discount.

Latest figures show there are over 740 empty properties across the district and the council says they are a wasted resource, particularly due to high demand for affordable accommodation across Harborough.

The council is also planning to charge second homeowners twice the standard council tax rate.

The changes are proposed in a new ‘Empty Homes Strategy’ and Cllr Jim Knight, Cabinet Lead for well-being, backed the move at a recent meeting:

Market Harborough Town Centre Pic: Andy Carpenter

You can have your say on the proposed changes as part of the council’s budget public consultation HERE.

A final decision on the move is set to be taken later this month.