Empty property charges

An additional amount of Council Tax (a premium) is charged when a property has been empty and unfurnished for over two years or more. 

Up to the 31 March 2020 

Properties that have been empty over two years:

• you will be charged an extra 100% Council Tax on top of the full Council Tax for the property – a 200% Council Tax charge.

From the 1 April 2020

Properties that have been empty between two years but under five years:

• you will be charged an extra 100% Council Tax on top of the full Council Tax for the property – a 200% Council Tax charge.

Properties that have been empty five years or more:

• you will be charged an extra 200% Council Tax on top of the full Council Tax for the property – a 300% Council Tax charge.

From the 1 April 2021

Properties that have been empty more than ten years:

• the premium will increase to 300% this will mean your Council Tax will be charged at 400%.

There are two types of property that are not affected by the premium:

• property which is left empty by a member of the armed services, who is away from the property as a result of their service
• property which forms part of a single property, for example an annexe.

As this premium applies to the property, a change of ownership or tenancy will not affect the premium. If when you purchased or leased your property it had already been empty and unfurnished for two years or more, you will have to pay the additional Council Tax charge. The additional charge can only be removed by bringing your property back into use.

View information about empty properties and the advice and support that Telford & Wrekin Council can provide to help you bring the property back into use or to sell/rent, or contact the Empty Properties team:

Telephone: 01952 381461
Email: empty.homes@telford.gov.uk

Why am I charged extra when I am not using my property?

In the November 2017 budget, the government gave local authorities the power to increase the Council Tax charge on long term empty properties to encourage the owners to bring their properties back into use. Following a full Council meeting in January 2019, it was decided to exercise this power from the 1 April 2019 for properties which have been empty for over two years.

Last updated: 04/08/2022 12:46