Bridgend Council’s cabinet is set to approve a public consultation on the introduction of a council tax premium for long-term empty homes and second homes in the county (pdf).
A “long-term empty property” is defined as a residential property that’s been unoccupied and/or unfurnished for at least a year without being put on the market for sale or let. There are exemptions for properties that are an annexe to another dwelling (i.e. “granny annexe”) or would otherwise be occupied by someone in the armed forces.
There are said to be 701 residential properties in Bridgend that would meet the definition of “long-term empty”. Up to 60% of these are in just four places: Porthcawl, Maesteg, the Ogmore Valley and Garw Valley.
A “second home” is defined as a residential property that’s not a person’s primary residence but is furnished and occupied periodically. Static caravans, boat moorings, seasonal homes that can’t be occupied all year round and job-related dwellings are exempt from this definition.
There are far fewer second homes in Bridgend county than empty homes. Only 72 have been identified, three-quarters of which are owned by people who don’t live in the county.
What is the proposed premium?
A council tax premium of 100% (doubling the council tax bill) would be applied in the first two financial years from 2023-24 (April 2023) for empty properties and from 2024-25 (April 2024) for second homes.
This will increase to 200% in the third financial year.
Officers calculate that the two premiums could raise an additional £1million for Bridgend Council from April 2024, though this is a maximum estimate as tax collection involving empty properties, in particular, is difficult.
If BCBC’s Cabinet approves, a public consultation on the proposal will launch in January 2023.
