A short note about long term empty properties in Wales.
From 1 April 2016, section 139 Housing (Wales) Act 2014 amends the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to introduce an ability for a local authority to determine council tax payable in their area for ‘long term empty property’ at their discretion.
The amount that can be charged is at an increase of up to 100% of the council tax (effectively making the council tax payable at a rate of up to 200%).
A property is regarded as ‘long term empty’ if it has been unoccupied continuously for one year. A period of up to 6 weeks occupation is disregarded when considering if it’s been in continuous occupation.
Our general article concerning council tax and empty property (both short and long term empty) has been updated.
I have a long term empty property which is in disrepair in wales. will this change override the exemption the property enjoys from council tax/ business rates as a grade 2 listed building?
I have had a look at this and I believe this will affect you. I suppose that makes sense because the idea is to try to persuade people to put empty property back into use.
I can’t see any exemption just because it is in need of repair (it just says unoccupied and unfinished in the regulations).
You mention business rates which implies there may be an element of commercial? That has different rules and you may be entitled to relief due to it being empty. Please see here for details