From 1 April 2025 the government has changed the rules to allow Council’s to increase the charge second homes and long term empty properties to encourage owners to get the property back into use.

Second homes that are unoccupied and furnished may attract an additional Council Tax premium of 100% - meaning that you would pay 200%.

This premium also applies to unoccupied and unfurnished long term empty homes and would be applicable after one year of remaining empty.

However, the Government have set out circumstances where this additional premium may not be applicable and are therefore classed as exceptions. You can find out more on the types of circumstances where the premium may not apply here.

If you are being charged a premium and feel you have circumstances in which an exception could be applied, please complete the online form below.