Second homes discount removed by council

TORBAY Council has announced changes to council tax exemptions and discounts for unoccupied, second or holiday homes.

The decision on the level of charge to be applied to each class of property is set by individual authorities.

In Torbay from April 1:

Second homes and holiday homes — the current 10 per cent discount has been removed. Properties in this class will pay the full charge.

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Unoccupied and unfurnished properties — the exemption period has been reduced from six months to one month.

Uninhabitable property — the current 12-month exemption period has been removed.

Properties deemed to be uninhabitable will pay the full charge.

Any property which has been empty for a continuous period of two years or more, and which is not subject to a statutory council tax exemption, will become liable to the full council tax charge together with an additional 50 per cent premium.

Torbay mayor Gordon Oliver said: "By removing the discounts, the council hopes to provide a stronger incentive to get empty homes back into use and relieve some of the pressures on our housing need across the Bay."

Those currently in receipt of a council tax discount or exemption will be contacted by the council in the next few weeks explaining the changes.