By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
Owners of properties in Broxtowe that have been empty for more than a year will face extra taxes.
The local council already charges an extra fee – 100 per cent of council tax – for homes vacant for more than two years.
Those empty for more than five years face 200 per cent taxes, rising to 300 per cent on homes empty for over 10 years.
In a Broxtowe Borough Council cabinet meeting yesterday (December 3), councillors approved proposals for the 100 per cent levy to be brought in for homes empty for just one year.
This effectively means council tax on properties that have been empty for more than a year will double.
The change is part of new national law – the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which aims to address long-term empty properties by bringing the initial period of two years down to one year. The council is set to implement the amended levy from April 1 2025.
The bill also allows councils to charge an additional 100 per cent levy to properties in the borough that are regarded as second homes.
Currently, second homes in the borough are charged the standard council tax rate.
Phil Sudlow, Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services at the council, said both proposals are expected to add around £70,000 in annual income for the council but “the main purpose is to generate the properties coming back into use as quickly as possible” for any housing shortages.
Cllr Greg Marshall (Lab), Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “There is some nominal income but that isn’t the driver- it’s entirely consistent with other parts of the housing policy across the authority.
“It’s really really small as a percentage of overall properties in the borough, it’s going to impact a very very small number of people.”
There are 295 homes in the borough regarded as second homes, the meeting was told.
Cllr Philip Owen (Con) questioned the council’s figures regarding second homes.
He said: “If I had a home in one borough and was working in another borough and wanted to stay there during the week, I wouldn’t tell you, I’d just pay my council tax as normal.
“I would have thought most people would have done that and I don’t see anything wrong in doing that.
“How many properties are taken out of the general housing marking by things such as Airbnb’s- I suspect it’s probably as many if not more than the ones you’re targeting here.
Mr Sudlow replied: “Because of the data matching works that goes on, we can establish that principle and find out which is their main property- if that is an Airbnb then these will be getting this levy applied to them.”
The levy will be implemented from April 1 2026. Councillors voted unanimously to support the proposals.
