There is no discount for an empty property.
100% council tax is payable from the date a property becomes empty and unfurnished for 2 years. This is regardless of any change in ownership.
If a property becomes empty and unfurnished for over 2 years the premium is 100% above the normal charge.
With effect from 01 April 2021:
- Properties empty and unoccupied for up to 2 years = 0% discount (full charge)
- Furnished properties and second homes = 0% discount (full charge)
- Properties empty and unoccupied for 2-5 years = 200% charge (includes 100% empty property premium)
- Properties empty and unoccupied for 5-10 years = 300% charge (includes 200% empty property premium)
- Properties empty and unoccupied for more than 10 years = 400% charge (includes 300% empty property premium)
Help may be available to reduce these charges in certain circumstances shown below:
- Unoccupied properties owned by a charity
- Unoccupied property where the previous liable person is deceased and no other person is liable.
- Unoccupied property because of a legal prohibition
- Unoccupied property but retained for a minister of religion
- Unoccupied property and a mortgagee is in possession
- Unoccupied property and a trustee in bankruptcy is liable
- Unoccupied annexe of an occupied dwelling
- Unoccupied property because the liable person is in detention
Complete our online form if you think you may be eligible for one of these discounts or exemptions.
If you have more than one property, we may have to decide which property is your main house. We may request further information to do this.
If your second home is job-related you may get a 50% discount. This is if your (or your spouse's) employment contract requires you to live in the property.
When applying for the discount, we will need a copy of your employment contract. If one of your properties is outside Wolverhampton, we need a copy of that property's council tax bill.
There is no discount or exemption for these properties and the full charge is payable. If the property is derelict and cannot be lived in, you may be able to get it removed from the Valuation List. You should make any further inquiries to the Valuation Office Agency.
While an appeal is being made you are still liable to pay the full amount of council tax on the demand. You need to keep paying the instalments to avoid court action. If the appeal is successful you will receive a refund.