Council Tax on Empty Property

12 August, 2025

You Still Have to Pay Council Tax on Empty Properties

In England, Scotland and Wales, council tax applies whether or not a property is occupied. The bill is usually the responsibility of the owner when the property is empty.

While there are some exemptions and discounts, they aren’t automatic, and you’ll need to apply through your local council.

Possible Discounts or Exemptions

Local councils can offer different levels of council tax reduction for empty homes. Some may give a short discount period, while others may charge the full amount from day one.

Common examples include:

• Short-term discount: Some councils offer a reduced rate (often 50% or less) for a set number of months after the property becomes empty.
  
  

• No discount: Increasingly, councils charge the full council tax immediately.
  
  

• Exemption in certain situations: For example, if the property is empty because the owner has moved into care, or if the property is uninhabitable due to major repairs, there may be an exemption period.
  
  

It’s important to check your own council’s rules, as policies vary widely.

Long-Term Empty Property Premiums

If your property has been empty for a long time, you might actually have to pay more council tax, not less.

Councils can add a premium on top of the normal rate for long-term empty homes:

• Empty for 2 years or more: Up to 100% extra (double the normal bill)
  
  

• Empty for 5 years or more: Up to 200% extra
  
  

• Empty for 10 years or more: Up to 300% extra
  
  

The aim is to encourage owners to bring properties back into use rather than leaving them vacant.

What Counts as “Empty”?

A property is generally considered empty if it is unfurnished and no one is living there as their main home. If furniture is present, even if no one is living there, it might be classed as “unoccupied but furnished”, which can affect whether you get a discount.

How to Avoid Paying More Than You Need To

If your property is empty because you’re between tenants, selling, or renovating, it’s worth contacting your local council as soon as possible to explain the situation and see what you qualify for.

You may be able to:

• Claim a short-term discount
  
  

• Apply for an exemption if major works are needed
  
  

• Avoid the long-term premium by bringing the property back into use
  
  

If you’re planning to sell and don’t want the property to sit empty (and costly) for months, selling quickly to a ready buyer can help you avoid extra council tax charges.

Worried about council tax on an empty property?

At Get An Offer, we help owners sell quickly and with less hassle, avoiding long-term costs and uncertainty. Whether you’ve inherited a property, finished a renovation, or had a tenant move out, we can help you secure a fair offer fast. Give us a call and our team will be happy to advise you.