There is no discount for an empty property or a second home, the full charge is payable. An additional amount of Council Tax (a premium) is charged in respect of long-term empty properties.
Changes to the Premium
- From 1 April 2019, a 100% premium was added to properties left empty for two years or more.
- From 1 April 2020, a 200% premium was added to properties left empty for five years or more.
- From 1 April 2021, a 300% premium was added to properties left empty for ten years or more.
- From 1 April 2024, the 100% premium was reduced from two years to one year.
- From 1 April 2025, a 100% premium was added to properties that are second homes. Exceptions to the premium were also introduced.
The long-term empty premium applies to the property and is not affected by changes to ownership or tenancy. If a property has been empty for at least one year upon purchase, or lease of a property, you will be charged the additional premium. The premium will end once it is occupied as a person's main residence.
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
From 1 April 2025
Second Homes
Second homes will be charged 100% on top of the full council tax, an overall charge of 200%.
A second home is a property that is substantially furnished but not occupied as a main residence or permanent dwelling. Second homes are occupied periodically and contain furniture you would normally use in a domestic dwelling, for example, a sofa, TV, bed, chairs and table, kitchen equipment, white goods and bathroom facilities.
There is no right of appeal against the Council's decision to charge the premium. More information regarding Council Tax Complaints can be found on the Local Government Ombudsman website.
Exceptions to the premiums
The following properties are not subject to the Council Tax premiums:
- properties that would have been lived in as a main home, if someone were not residing in job-related armed forces accommodation
- annexes forming part of or treated as part of the main dwelling
- job-related dwellings, specifically provided by an employer for carrying out their employment (second homes only)
- occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings (second homes only)
- seasonal homes, where all year-round occupation is prohibited, such as, purpose-built holiday accommodation (second homes only)
- properties that are rented as furnished lets.
Exceptions for up to 12 months
There are certain circumstances where Council Tax premiums are deferred for up to 12 months:
- where probate or letters of administration have been granted
- properties being actively marketed for sale or subject to an offer. We will require proof of advertising with an estate agent at a reasonable price
- properties actively marketed for let or a lease has been agreed. We will require proof of advertising with a letting agent for a reasonable price
- properties that are empty and undergoing or requiring major repairs or structural alterations (long-term empty only).
Major repairs or structural alterations are extensive works that affect the fabric of the building, such as, major underpinning, replacement of roofs or ceilings, joists or timbers. The work must be essential repairs to render the property habitable and does not include refurbishment or modernisation. We will request evidence and may carry out a visit to the property.
To apply for an exception please complete our application form.
Complete our online application form for Council Tax Premium Exceptions
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.
The Government introduced changes to these powers with effect from 1 April 2024, giving Council's the option to charge a premium when the property has been empty for 12 months or more and to second homes with effect from 1 April 2025. On the 2 March 2023, Telford & Wrekin Council voted to support the Government changes and the new premiums have been introduced as stated above.
Does the empty property charge apply to all unoccupied properties?
Under certain circumstances an empty or unoccupied property is exempt from paying council tax, an example could be:
- someone has left their property empty to live in a residential care home
- a property has been left empty by someone who has passed away.
To view full details of all our unoccupied property exemptions.
Last updated: 21/02/2025 14:39
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