Changes from 1 April 2021

Properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for 10 years or more, the premium will be 300% meaning the charge will be 400% of the normal liability.

Changes from 1 April 2020

For properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for 5 years or more, the premium will be 200%, meaning the charge will be 300% of the normal liability.

Unoccupied and unfurnished properties will be entitled to 28 days 100% discount followed by a full charge. (Where a property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for 28 days or more at 1 April 2020, the full council tax charge will be payable from that date).

Changes from 1 April 2019

Under the provisions of the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Act 2018, the government has amended the legislation which allows local authorities to charge an extra premium on properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 2 years. The legislation allows the local authority to charge a premium of up to 100% from 1 April 2019.

Stafford Borough Council has determined that, from 1 April 2019, the additional premium on long term empty properties will be 100%.

This means that, where a domestic property remains unoccupied and unfurnished for a period of over 2 years, then the charge will be 200% of the normal liability.

Changes from 1 April 2013

The Local Government Finance Act 2012 came into force in October 2012, which allowed changes to the regulations in respect of certain Council Tax discounts and exemptions. These changes allowed Local Authorities to adapt these discounts and exemptions to an amount which is set locally by Council.

From 1 April 2013, the changes affecting Stafford Borough Council were as follows:

• Unoccupied and unfurnished domestic properties are entitled to 28 days 100% discount followed by a full charge.
• Furnished unoccupied properties or second homes, where continuous occupancy for 28 days or more is not prohibited will be liable for the 100% charge.