Ealing Council Increases Tax Squeeze on Second Homes
Rate for properties occupied but not main residence to double
Picture: Ealing Council
January 7, 2025
Ealing Council is set to double the council tax paid by people living in a property in the borough that is not their main residence.
Those in affected properties will be receiving their amended tax bill through the post shortly. This is to enable those affected to make changes to their living arrangements if they wish to before the bill is due for payment.
The new higher rate comes into effect on 1 April and follows the same increase a year ago for second homes that were unoccupied for over a year.
Previously the council only charged a premium on homes vacant for two years or more with a sliding scale for those left vacant for longer rising to a 300% premium on council tax for a property that has been empty for more than 10 years. This sliding scale remains in place.
There are some exclusions to these charges, for example if the home is under probate or being actively marketed for sale or rent. A discount of 100% may be awarded for a maximum period of 14 days from the date a property first became vacant if it requires major repair to make it habitable or if it is undergoing structural alteration. If a property is in severe disrepair or derelict, or is undergoing major structural alterations that make it impossible to live in any part of it, the council tax band may be deleted.
The new rates for occupied second homes were enabled by new legislation in England (part of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill) passed in April 2024 which allows councils to impose a premium of up to 100% on second homes, even if they are not empty, as long as the council decides to implement it.
Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said,“The shortage of good homes is a huge challenge in the borough. This scheme aims to reduce the number of properties left empty for long periods, and bring them back into use.”
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