Council tax - empty and unfurnished properties

Closed 12 Dec 2024

Opened 14 Nov 2024

Contact

consultations@leicester.gov.uk

Feedback updated 25 Feb 2025

We asked

We sought views on a proposal to remove the one-month full discount, when empty and unfurnished properties become vacant from 1 April 2025. The aim being to help bring empty properties quicker into use.

You said

Thank you to the 27 respondents to the online consultation. The majority (78%) were Leicester residents and 7% responded as a landlord.

70% of respondents wanted to retain the current one calendar month full discount on empty and unfurnished properties when they become vacant.

30% wanted the remove this discount from 1 April 2025.

We did

Firm conclusions from the consultation are difficult to draw because of the response rate. The full Council approved the change on 19 February 2025, and also agreed to monitor the impact on average time to bring properties back into use.

Overview

Since April 2013, Councils have had the ability to charge additional council tax on empty properties. The Council uses this discretion but allows a one-month period of grace for unfurnished properties, where no tax is charged.

This consultation is on the proposal to remove the one-month discount, when empty and unfurnished properties become vacant from 1 April 2025.  The change would be consistent with furnished properties, where no discount applies. 

Summary of options

Option 1: Retain the current one calendar month full discount on empty and unfurnished properties when they become vacant.

Option 2: Remove the one calendar month full discount from 1 April 2025.

 

Why your views matter

This would simplify our administration, reduce the scope for disagreements between landlords and former tenants, and be consistent with those for furnished dwellings. 

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • All residents

Interests

  • Revenues and Benefits