A new charge is to be introduced to help bring long-term empty properties in North Tyneside back into use as affordable housing.
On Thursday night (January 16) full Council agreed to bring in a Council Tax premium for homes that have been unoccupied and unfurnished for two years or more.
There are currently 460 empty properties in the borough – 305 of which have been empty for two to five years, 104 for between five and 10 years, and 51 for more than 10 years.
Most of the long-term empty properties are in the lowest Council Tax band (A) and often in more deprived areas of the borough.
The Government gave councils powers to charge a Council Tax premium to encourage property owners to bring long-term empty properties back into use by providing a financial disincentive.
Councillors agreed that some of the additional Council Tax income gained from introducing the premiums is used to support the initiatives already in place to tackle empty homes.
If brought back into use, these properties could provide more affordable housing.
Cllr Ray Glindon, Cabinet member for Finance and Resources, said: “We already do a lot of work to try and tackle empty homes and the introduction of Council Tax Premiums will support this.
“The new premium will also prove beneficial in our efforts to tackle homelessness and help those struggling to find somewhere to live by encouraging owners of long-term empty properties to bring them back into use.”
Following a recent consultation, 67 per cent of respondents agreed with the proposals, which were also backed by the National Landlords Association and North Tyneside Citizens Advice.
It means that from April 2020 a 100 per cent Council Tax premium will be charged for properties that have been empty for more than two years and a 200 per cent premium on properties which have been empty for five years or more.
And, from April 2021 a 300 per cent premium will be placed on properties which have been empty for ten years or more.
In line with Government recommendations, owners of properties who can demonstrate that the property is actively being marketed for sale or rent at a reasonable level will be exempt from the premium on that property.
