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Council tax threat to owners of empty homes

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 4:53 PM

Property owners who leave their home empty for more than two years could face a council tax hike under new government plans.

Speaking at the Liberal Democrat conference, communities minister Andrew Stunell announced a beefed-up programme to tackle the estimated 700,000 empty homes around the country.

The government will consult on plans to allow local councils to charge a council tax premium as a stronger incentive to bring them back into productive use.

Community groups will be able to bit for part of £100 million government funding to tackle empty homes in their neighbourhoods.

And councils can get six years of funding under the new homes bonus for every empty home they bring back into use.

Stunell said tackling empty homes was a top priority for the government and could play a key role in delivering more affordable homes.

He said: “There is a desperate need in this country for affordable housing, and yet for every two families that need a home, there is one property standing empty. This is a national scandal, and after years of inaction and inertia, this government is determined to get to grips with the problem.”

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