The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AC”) which sets out options for changes to Council Tax premiums for long term empty homes to support the Council’s objectives to bring empty homes back into use in line with the Empty Homes Action Plan which forms part of the Council’s ‘A Place to Call Home: Housing and Homelessness Strategy for Bradford District 2014 – 2019’ in line with recent legislative changes.

Recommended –

It is recommended that Option 2 be approved so that:

            •           From 1 April 2019 – the charge is 100% for properties empty                    for at least two years

            •           From 1 April 2020:

·         the charge is 100% for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200% for properties empty for at least five years

·          

            •           From 1 April 2021:

·         the charge is 100%  for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200%  for properties empty for at least five years but less than ten years

·         the charge is 300% for properties empty for at least ten years

These charges (or premiums as they are known) are charged in addition to the usual council tax charge that applies to the property.

(Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment)

(Julie Rhodes - 01274 431163)

Resolved:

That Option 2 be approved so that:

            •           From 1 April 2019 – the charge is 100% for properties                                empty for at least two years

            •           From 1 April 2020:

·         the charge is 100% for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200% for properties empty for at least five years

            •           From 1 April 2021:

·         the charge is 100%  for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200%  for properties empty for at least five years but less than ten years

·         the charge is 300% for properties empty for at least ten years

These charges (or premiums as they are known) are charged in addition to the usual council tax charge that applies to the property.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

(Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment)

(Julie Rhodes - 01274 431163)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AC”) which set out options for changes to Council Tax premiums for long term empty homes to support the Council’s objectives to bring empty homes back into use in line with the Empty Homes Action Plan which forms part of the Council’s ‘A Place to Call Home: Housing and Homelessness Strategy for Bradford District 2014 – 2019’ in line with recent legislative changes.

Members welcomed the proposals and also commended the Service on winning the Empty Homes practitioner of the Year award, adding that the proposals would go some way in addressing the issue of homes remaining unoccupied.

Resolved:

That Option 2 be approved so that:

            •           From 1 April 2019 – the charge is 100% for properties                                empty for at least two years

            •           From 1 April 2020:

·         the charge is 100% for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200% for properties empty for at least five years

            •           From 1 April 2021:

·         the charge is 100%  for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200%  for properties empty for at least five years but less than ten years

·         the charge is 300% for properties empty for at least ten years

These charges (or premiums as they are known) are charged in addition to the usual council tax charge that applies to the property.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment