Council Tax Discounts for Landlords being abolished

Following changes to government legislation, local councils have more flexibility to set council tax levels. This means reductions currently granted for void periods and dicounts for unfurnished properties are being abolished

 

 

Camden says it is the first London council to propose the suggested countrywide initiative of removing some council tax benefits. This will directly hit the pockets of owners of second and empty homes.

Besides reducing the tax-free period on empty homes and removing the discount on empty properties, it also proposes a one-month exemption for empty habitable homes instead of the current six months.

 

"Camden has a severe shortage of housing, yet every year thousands of properties are left vacant by private landlords and second homes continue to enjoy a tax break," said councillor Theo Blackwell.

"We plan to use new powers to end these perks. We believe this is a fair and necessary measure in the light of further cuts by central government."

The council proposes charging an extra 50% if homes are left empty for more than two years, and replacing the 12 month-exemption on empty, uninhabitable properties with a discount of 25%.
The 10% discount on second-home owners and landlords of furnished properties would also be abolished.

"Bringing empty homes back into use is a key priority for Camden," the council said.

The council has said that it could raise an £1.84m  as more than 6,700 homes would be subject to the changes.

They are hoping to put their plans in action by the end of this month.