MORE than 30 homes have been left standing empty for more than a decade despite the owners having to pay up to FOUR times as much council tax, it has emerged.
Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members will discuss a report in the new year which shows exactly how many properties across the town are empty.
It reveals there are currently 1,425 empty homes across the borough, with the council tax bill rising the longer they remain vacant.
The report says: “Local authorities have further discretion to charge council tax on second homes and empty properties.
“The council’s current policy is to apply a 100 per cent charge to all short-term empty properties - less than a year - and furnished second homes.
“There are currently 1,425 empty properties that have been empty for less than a year.
“The turnover of short-term empty properties is usually high, with most never being charged any additional premiums.
“These are usually short periods between changes in occupation.
“The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 now enables local authorities to charge an additional 100 per cent for properties that are second homes (substantially furnished but are no one’s sole or main residence).
“After giving the required 12 months’ notice of the decision to implement this additional premium, from April 2025, 56 second properties will be charged an additional 100 per cent - or a 200 per cent council tax charge.”
There are also 80 properties that have been empty for five years and 32 that have been left vacant for a whole decade.
The report added: “In April 2021, the council adopted the policy to charge owners a premium of 100 per cent - or a 200 per cent council tax charge - on unfurnished properties after two years.
“From April 2024, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 updated this provision, and the 100 per cent premium is now charged after a period of 12 months or more.
“There are 495 currently being charged this premium.
“After a period of five years or more, local authorities can increase the premium to 200 per cent - or a 300 per cent council tax charge - for any property left empty and unfurnished.
“There are currently 80 empty properties that have been empty more than five years and are charged this premium - an increase of 19 since last year.
“In addition to the above, the council can also charge a premium of 300 per cent - or a 400 per cent council tax charge - for any properties left empty and unfurnished for a period of ten years or more.
“There are 32 properties being charged this premium, which is the same as last year.”
