Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED:      1)          That the following discounts and premiums be recommended to Council for 2025/2026:

Class A Second Homes Discount for 2025/2026:

·       No reduction, i.e. a 0% discount;

Class B Second Homes Discount for 2025/2026:

·       No reduction i.e. a 0% discount, plus

·       An additional premium of 100%

Class C Empty / Unfurnished Discount 2025/2026:

·       0% for both the initial and follow on periods

Long-Term Empty Property Premiums (Levy):

·       100% for properties empty between one and five years,

·       200% for properties empty longer than five years, and

·       300% for properties empty longer than ten years.

Class D Uninhabitable Properties:

·       25% for 12 months starting on the day the property becomes uninhabitable; then:

·       0% once the 12 month period has expired;

2)          That the Exceptions Policy as summarised below and detailed at Appendix 3 to the report be agreed.

3)          That the government guidance of November 2024 as included at Appendix D to the report be noted.

Reason for Decision

To ensure the discounts, premiums and exceptions policy for Second Homes and Long-Term Empty properties are agreed for 2025/2026.

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Councillor Morley introduced the report which explained that Councils had discretionary powers to vary the discounts for empty properties, uninhabitable properties and second homes, and to charge additional premiums (levies) for long-term empty properties and second homes.  The report summarised the current position and made recommendations for the discounts and premiums for these types of property for 2025/2026.

The Chair drew attention to the fact that the County Council had been requested to pass back 50% of the additional levy that they would receive for the benefit of the residents of the Borough.  The outcome was awaited.

RECOMMENDED:         1)               That the following discounts and premiums be recommended to Council for 2025/2026:

Class A Second Homes Discount for 2025/2026:

·       No reduction, i.e. a 0% discount;

Class B Second Homes Discount for 2025/2026:

·       No reduction i.e. a 0% discount, plus

·       An additional premium of 100%

Class C Empty / Unfurnished Discount 2025/2026:

·       0% for both the initial and follow on periods

Long-Term Empty Property Premiums (Levy):

·       100% for properties empty between one and five years,

·       200% for properties empty longer than five years, and

·       300% for properties empty longer than ten years.

Class D Uninhabitable Properties:

·       25% for 12 months starting on the day the property becomes uninhabitable; then:

·       0% once the 12 month period has expired;

2)               That the Exceptions Policy as summarised below and detailed at Appendix 3 to the report be agreed.

3)               That the government guidance of November 2024 as included at Appendix D to the report be noted.

Reason for Decision

To ensure the discounts, premiums and exceptions policy for Second Homes and Long-Term Empty properties are agreed for 2025/2026.