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ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Council resolved to use its discretion and introduced council tax premiums on Long-Term Empty Properties and Second ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½s, as defined by section 12(A) 3 (Long Term Empty Property) and 12(B) 4 (2nd ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as inserted by Section 139 Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

Council Tax Premiums are intended to be a tool to help Local Authorities bring long-term empty and unused homes, back into use and increase the supply of affordable housing.

If your property is subject to a premium, it will be charged on top of the standard Council Tax charge.

LONG TERM EMPTY PROPERTY PREMIUM

The long-term empty property premium will commence from 1^st April 2025 and applies to any dwelling that has been continuously unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 12 months (unless it falls into an exception class 1 – 4 or a local exception listed below). 

The amount of premium applied is based on the length of time the property is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished. Any empty period prior to 1^st April 2024 will be disregarded.

Level Of Premiums on Long Term Empty Premiums

Length of time property empty Since 1.4.24	Premium
Between 1 - 2 years	100%
Between 2 - 3 years.	200%
Over 3 years	300%

THE SECOND HOME PREMIUM

The second home premium will commence from 1^st April 2026 and applies to any dwelling that is not a person’s sole or main residence and is substantially furnished (unless it falls into an exception class 1-7 listed below)

The premium applied is 100%.

Exceptions To the Premium

Regulations identify seven classes of dwellings that are excepted from the premium. If your property falls into one of the following classes, you may be eligible for an exception and only have to pay the standard council tax charge for the property.

Classes 1 – 4 relate to both long term empty properties and second homes.

Class 5 – 7 relate to second homes only.

CLASS	DEFINITION
Class 1	Dwellings being marketed for sale or where an offer to buy the dwelling has been accepted - time limited for one year
Class 2	Dwellings being marketed for let - or where an offer to rent has been accepted, this is time limited for 1 year
Class 3	Annexes forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling
Class 4	Dwellings which would be someone's sole or main residence if they were not residing in armed forces accommodation
Class 5	Occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings
Class 6	Seasonal homes or holiday lets where year-round or permanent occupation is prohibited
Class 7	Job-related dwellings

Local exceptions

In addition to the above exceptions, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Council has agreed the following local exceptions in respect of long-term empty properties:

CLASS	DEFINITION
LOCAL 1	New Purchaser – excepted up to 12 months
LOCAL 2	Individual awaiting empty property grant / loan outcome – excepted for up to 12 months from grant decision
LOCAL 3	Instances where there are complex legal issues (requiring confirmation by solicitor).
LOCAL 4	Where Planning Permission is awaited.
LOCAL 5	Composite Assessments –A composite hereditament is a dwelling which has both domestic and non-domestic parts, an exception will be awarded where there is no independent access to the dwelling element.

How to Apply for an exception 

If you think your property falls into any of the exception classes above, please click on the following link to complete the premium exception form

INSERT FORM HERE

Help for long-term empty property owners

There may be assistance available to bring empty properties back in to use.

Please click the links below:

Landlord Loans

For further information please contact us:

Email: Premiums@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Tel: 01495 363900

Revenues Section

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½
The General Offices
Steelworks Road
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6DN