Council to raise tax on empty and second homes

A council is raising tax for empty and second homes in an attempt to free up housing stock.

Watford Borough Council confirmed plans to increase premiums for empty and second homes at a meeting on Tuesday, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Owners of homes that have been empty for more than two years already have to pay double the amount of council tax, but the period for being classed as empty will now change to one year from next month.

Charging double tax on second homes is a new policy for the council and will come into effect from April 2026.

The 2021 census showed that there were 2,135 empty homes in Watford, making up more than five per cent of the borough's homes.

The changes will allow the council to close a loophole whereby empty homes can be furnished and classed as second homes, which are currently charged the normal rate of council tax.

According to council officers, strengthening the empty homes tax rise and introducing the second home tax rise could raise a total of £397,000 in additional council tax income, with around £36,000 of this going to the borough council.

Existing 200% and 300% premiums on properties left empty for more than five and ten years respectively will continue.

Jennifer Pattinson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group that controls the authority, said the changes "will give vital funding to councils who are struggling with temporary accommodation and higher costs of housing our homeless families."

The changes were supported by Nigel Bell, leader of the Labour group, who said it was a "good idea" that could help with the "housing crisis".

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