Owners of long-term empty properties and second homes in Cardiff will have to start paying more in council tax. Cardiff Council have voted to increase the council tax premium on long term empty homes from 50% to 100%.
A new 100% premium charge will be applied to second homes and furnished properties which are not anyone's main home. Speaking at a council meeting on Thursday, March 9, Cllr Calum Davies agreed that action is needed on empty homes when owners are not co-operative, but added that the premium fails to recognise the context behind each case.
He said: "There will be many out there who are financially unable. Some properties will be bound up in probate. Others will be on the market, an action that is encouraging empty homes if the owner does not or cannot do anything for it, but the sale is fallen through."
