Unoccupied and unfurnished properties
For owners or tenants of unoccupied and unfurnished properties we can apply for a 100% property discount for a maximum period of up to one month.
This discount can be used for properties which are empty awaiting sale or let or undergoing refurbishments (which are not major). After one month of the property being empty, full council tax becomes payable even if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished.
Please note if you purchase an unoccupied and unfurnished property you will only be entitled to any remaining balance of the discount.
Empty Homes Premium
If a property becomes empty and unfurnished for over 2 years a ‘long-term empty premium' of 100% is applied. Once a property has been empty for 5 years, a 200% premium is applied and therefore the rate of Council Tax payable is 300%.
This is to encourage property owners to bring the properties into use.
Job-related second home discount
If you have more than one property, we may have to decide which property is your main house. We may request further information to do this.
If your second home is job-related you may get a 50% discount. This is if your (or your spouse's) employment contract requires you to live in the property.
When applying for the discount, we will need a copy of your employment contract. If one of your properties is outside South Staffordshire, we need a copy of that property's council tax bill.
Uninhabitable/major repair works
A property which is unoccupied, unfurnished and in need of major or structural repairs to make it habitable, can receive a 50% property discount for a maximum period of 12 months.
The discount can continue for up to 6 months after the works are completed providing the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished and does not exceed 12 months. In order to apply for this discount, we will require evidence of the work required or being carried out to make the property habitable. Evidence should include photographs and/or contract invoices. Alternatively, you can arrange an inspection of the property by one of our officers.
The following do not fall into the criteria of major repair works:
- Replacement, refurbishment or modernisation of a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
- Rewiring
- Redecoration
- New plumbing, re carpeting, re plastering or new windows
After the 12 months, full council tax becomes payable even if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished.
Further to this, if the property is still empty after two years – then the property will be subject to a Council Tax premium as shown below.
If the property is derelict and cannot be lived in, you may be able to get it removed from the Valuation List. You should make any further enquiries to the Valuation Office Agency