Pembrokeshire to impose premium on empty properties
0Pembrokeshire County Council will introduce a council tax premium on long-term empty properties from 1 April.
The new additional tax will sit alongside a 50% council tax premium on second homes introduced two years ago.
There are estimated to be over 1,000 long-term empty properties in the county, according to the council, which through its two additional taxes is seeking to increase the supply of housing.
The empty homes policy was voted through in 2017 and will see a 25% premium imposed on properties unoccupied and unfurnished since 1 April 2016.
In succeeding years, the premium will rise as the time the property has been empty increases, so that by April 2021 it will be 100% on properties left unoccupied for five or more years.
Pembrokeshire’s cabinet member for finance, Bob Kilmister said: “Although the new premium will bring in extra revenue, this is not the overriding objective.
“Indeed, the monies will be ring-fenced for affordable housing and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant scheme which funds community projects.
“The aim is to revitalise communities by increasing the supply of housing.”
