Empty properties
From April 2013 each Local Authority in England can decide what level of Council Tax discount to award in respect of empty properties. St Albans City and District Council have made the decision to award no discounts in respect of 2nd homes or empty and unfurnished properties. This means you will still pay the full Council Tax for a property even if it is not occupied, unless an exemption applies.
Major structural repairs
However, if a property is unoccupied because it is undergoing major structural repairs or alteration you may still qualify for a 50% reduction in the Council Tax for a maximum period of 6 months. We call this a Class D discount. These guidance notes explain what sort of work will qualify for this discount.
Apply for a Class D Discount
To apply for this discount please log in to MyStAlbans and the section entitled ‘Council Tax Forms’. Please be aware that in most cases we will need to see evidence of the work which is being carried out, such as photos and a schedule of works from your builder.
Premiums charged on properties empty for more than two years
If a property has been empty and unfurnished for a long period of time, Local Authorities are able to charge a Council Tax ‘premium’. From April 2019 St Albans City and District Council made the decision to charge a 100% premium on properties which have been empty for more than 2 years. From April 2020 we will also charge a 200% Council Tax premium on properties which have been empty for more than 5 years and from April 2021 we will charge a 300% premium on properties which have been empty for 10 years or more.
The primary focus for this change is to bring empty homes back into use and we look to work closely with owners to try and help them to do this. If you would like more information about what help is available, please email privatesectorhousing@stalbans.gov.uk.
Change in ownership
Please be aware that a change in ownership does not stop this premium from applying. Therefore, if you buy a property which has been empty for some time and do not move into it immediately, you may find yourself paying more Council Tax than you anticipated.
Demolished Properties.
If you are in the process of demolishing a property please e-mail CouncilTax.Inspectors@stalbans.gov.uk with details of the property, whether planning permission has been granted and when the demolition is due to start. Properties which are due to be, or have been demolished may be removed from the Council Tax rating list, which usually means no Council Tax is payable. However, it is important you continue to pay as billed until such time as the property is actually removed from rating. We will refund any monies due to you once the process is complete.
