Reminder of council tax doubling on long-term empty or second homes

Warrington: So, there’s this new council tax rule coming up that’s got a lot of folks talking. If you own a home that’s been sitting empty for a while, you might want to pay attention.

Residents have been getting letters about a 100% premium on council tax starting April 1. That means if your place has been empty for over a year, you’ll be paying double.

This change is all about freeing up homes for people who really need them. With housing being tight, the council wants to encourage owners to either sell or rent out their empty properties.

It seems like around 150 councils, including Warrington, are on board with this new rule. The letters are pretty clear about what’s happening.

They say if your property is unoccupied and mostly unfurnished for a year, you’ll be hit with that extra charge. And if it’s a second home that’s furnished but not your main residence, you’ll also be paying more.

Starting April 1, 2025, any home that isn’t your main one and is furnished will see that 100% premium kick in. So, it’s definitely something to think about if you own a second place.

The government has mentioned there will be some exceptions to these rules, but those won’t start until 2025. If you want to know more, check out the Warrington council website.