Council Tax Reform April 2013
Empty Properties - Former Class C Exemptions
Prior to 1 April 2013, properties which had recently become empty were fully (100%) exempt from Council Tax for a maximum of 6 months, after which a 50% charge was payable until it was re-occupied.
From 1 April 2013, Class C will incur a 50% charge for the first six months after which 100% of the Council Tax will become payable.
If your property is currently subject to the 100% exemption because it is in the first six months of the exemption, this will end on 31 March 2013 and from 1 April 2013, 50% of the Council Tax liability will become payable. Any current Class C 100% exemption will not continue until the end of the original six months at 100%, but will incur a 50% charge until the end of the original six months period.
For example, if your Class C exemption was applied on 1 January 2013 and your property was due to be fully exempt until 30 June 2013, the 100% exemption will end on 31 March 2013 and 50% will be payable from 1 April 2013 until 30 June 2013. From 1 July 2013, if your property is still empty, 100% of the Council Tax will be payable.
The six month time period does not start again with the new charges in April 2013.
In addition to these charges, if the property remains empty for more than 2 years, an additional 50% premium will be applied and 150% of the Council Tax will be payable.
If your entitlement to this discount has changed, please inform us as soon as possible.
These changes are taking place at the same time as many welfare reform changes and we expect our telephone lines to be exceptionally busy. You can e-mail your enquiries to us and we aim to respond within one working day. Contact us on enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
If you wish to apply for this discount, forms are available to download or by request.