If your property is empty and unfurnished, you can apply for a discount of 100% for a maximum of 3 months.
The discount lasts for a maximum of 3 months, and applies to the property and not the owner. This means that if the previous owner claimed the discount for some of the 3 months, you can only claim it for the remaining time.
After 3 months, we will charge Council Tax in full.
To be able to apply for a second empty property discount, the property needs to have been occupied for over 6 weeks before it becomes empty and unfurnished again.
From 1 April 2024, if your property is empty and substantially unfurnished for 1 year, we will charge Council Tax in full plus an additional 100%.
From 1 April 2025 the government legislated for some exceptions to the additional empty property charges.
You can find more information in our empty and second homes premiums policy (pdf)
To apply for a discount for an empty and unfurnished property, you will need:
- your Council Tax account number
- your name, address and contact details
- to tell us when the property became empty and unfurnished
After you've applied
After you've applied, you must still pay the amount on your Council Tax bill until you hear from us.
We may need to visit your property to confirm that the discount or exemption should apply.
We will review your discount or exemption from time to time and ask you to confirm whether it still applies.
If we don't give you the discount and you think we should have you can appeal by contacting us.
Report a change
You need to let us know if your circumstances change within 21 days, otherwise you may have to pay a fine.
You’ll need your:
- Council Tax account number
- name, address and contact details