New council tax rule from April confirmed by government

The government has announced new tough rules for some empty homes in the next couple of weeks.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it will make harder rules which will double council tax on long-term empty properties from April 1. Councils will also receive new powers to introduce tax premiums on second homes from next year.

However, a small number of exceptions will be applied which the government says will make the changes fairer for homeowners. Exceptions will apply to empty properties for some of the following reasons:

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Minister for Local Government Simon Hoare said: “Long term empty properties are shutting local families and young people out of the housing market as they are being denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community. So, we are taking action as part of our long-term plan for housing.

"That means delivering more of the right homes in the right places and giving councils more powers to help give local people the homes they need.”

The new rules are being introduced as part of a long-term government plan to deliver one million homes. This scheme has reportedly been backed up by a £10 billion investment.

The government also claims that the changes will allow councils to budget more money to spend on public services.