Overview
- Councillors approved the Empty Properties Strategic Plan, with new enforcement powers due to take effect after midnight on Thursday.
- The enforced-sale route will apply only to long-term vacant properties with no residents that have not been declared as second homes.
- Second homes remain outside the sale policy but continue to face premium council tax charges, with the rate set to drop to 125% from April after earlier reductions.
- Long-term empty homes vacant for more than two years already face a 300% premium, and £700,000 from premium receipts has been ring-fenced to facilitate sales.
- Officials say sales will be exceptional, not used to recover council tax debts, and pursued only after engagement with owners and legal advice, with nearly 3,000 properties currently recorded as empty.