Vale Council’s Tax Premium on Empty and Second Homes Continues

Vale of Glamorgan: The council has decided to stick with its tax premium on empty and second homes. This was confirmed during a meeting on January 13.

Under this policy, homes that sit empty for up to 24 months face double the council tax. If a property is empty for 36 months, the tax jumps to 150%. And if it’s empty for over 36 months, it’s a hefty 200% tax.

The goal? To get these empty homes back into use for families and individuals who really need them. Cllr George Carroll, the Conservative group leader, supports the idea but has concerns about how it’s being implemented.

He shared a story about a first-time buyer who was renovating a property while living with their parents. The renovations took longer than expected, leading to a surprise double tax bill. Cllr Carroll thinks it’s unfair for people to get caught in this situation.

He believes this policy might actually discourage people from buying properties that need work, as they’d face higher taxes compared to buying a ready-to-move-in home.

Starting April 1, 2024, the council will charge a 100% premium on second homes. This plan was approved last year, and it’s aimed at addressing the housing shortage.

Cllr Ian Johnson from Plaid Cymru supports the tax premium, noting that many homes have already been brought back into use. A report showed that the number of second homes eligible for the premium increased from 402 to 508 by November 2023.

Currently, 339 properties are subject to the 100% premium for second homes. Meanwhile, there are nearly 7,000 people on the council housing waiting list.

Cllr Lis Burnett, the council leader, emphasized the importance of looking at the bigger picture. She mentioned that the council is part of an empty homes grant scheme and has helped many property owners bring their empty houses back into use.

She pointed out that in her own ward, two long-empty properties are now good quality homes, contributing positively to the housing stock.