South Norfolk - unoccupied properties

What is the Council Tax discount for empty properties?

Since 2013 local authorities have had some local discretion over the discount level and period of award for empty properties. South Norfolk Council initially agreed a common approach with most other Norfolk Councils to offer a 3 month discount.

When reviewing our discount in 2018 rather than remove the discount entirely, we felt strongly that there needed to be a period of discount to support landlords in redecorating and re-letting properties in between tenants. It is for this reason that we provide a fully discounted period of up to one month* rather than charging from the date a property first becomes empty.

We have found that in over 65% of cases where there was an empty period, the property was re-occupied within a month without the need for a longer discounted period. 

* Please note that this discount is applicable to the property from the date it becomes unoccupied and unfurnished, not the date on which liability changes. If the liable party changes within the one month period, the new party will only receive the balance of the discount period remaining.

What about long term empty properties?

Since 2013 Local Authorities have been given the power to charge a Council Tax premium of 50% for properties that have been empty for more than 2 years (where exemptions do not apply) . New legislation passed in 2018 allow this premium (or LEVY) to be increased as follows:

• an extra 100% of council tax charged where the dwelling has been empty for at least two years from 1 April 2019
• an extra 200% of council tax charged where the dwelling has been empty for at least five years from 1 April 2020
• an extra 300% of council tax charged where the dwelling has been empty for at least 10 years from 1 April 2021

Statutory exemptions from this empty premium do still apply and we would encourage you to check the list of exemptions to see whether your property fits into any of the categories that could be exempt.

Should you wish to apply for such an exemption please download, complete and return the following form, outlining the reasons why you believe the premium should not apply. Download an Empty Property Premium Exemption form.