Relief for landlords of empty properties

In future Wolverhampton Council will consider dropping the empty property premium ­— which adds an extra 50 per cent to the standard council tax ­— where owners prove they are trying to sell or let their buildings.

The changes were approved at a meeting of the cabinet resources panel.

The council will assess each case on its merits, before deciding whether to grant full or partial exemptions.

Cabinet member for finance Councillor Andrew Johnson said: "We would want them to demonstrate they had tried to sell or let the before the discretionary exemption was granted."

Last year, the council approved a discretionary scheme of discounts and charges relating to empty properties.

Owners of properties which have been empty for two years or more are now liable for a charge of an extra 50 per cent on top of the standard council tax.

However, the panel approved plans to grant exemptions to landlords struggling to find occupants for their properties.

The new guidelines say exemptions might also be granted where the owner experienced technical or legal issues in selling or letting the property, or where the landlord was in negotiation with the council for letting the property under a local authority scheme.

The change in policy comes in response to new government guidelines advising local authorities to consider difficulties in finding occupants.

The panel was told there had been a slight reduction in the number of long-term empty properties in the city over the past 12 months, with 401 cases of the empty property premium being charged for the present financial year, compared to 444 cases last year.

The meeting also approved measures which would see residents fined £70 for failing to supply their details ­— rising to a total of £350 if they continue not to co-operate.

Councillor Johnson said the main aim was to encourage people to comply with the council's requests.

He said: "The main objective is to improve the collection of the council tax."

Councillor Johnson said this mainly surrounded households which failed to disclose who was the main council-taxpayer for the property, or people who failed to provide information about their income.

"The idea is to make people comply with their legal duties."