Councillors have used powers given in the 2012 Local Government Finance Act to apply an Empty Homes Premium.
This applies to homes empty and unfurnished for one year or more, unless a discount or exemption applies.
From 1st April 2024
The empty period is reduced from two-years to one year and owners of homes will be charged:
- 100% Council Tax.
- and an Empty Homes Premium of 100%.
Note: This means 200% Council Tax will be payable.
Homes empty for 10 years or more
Owners of homes will be charged an Empty Homes Premium of 300%.
Note: This means 400% Council Tax will be payable.
From 1st April 2020
Homes empty for 5 years or more
Owners of homes will be charged an Empty Homes Premium of 200%.
Note: This means 300% Council Tax will be payable.
New owners
- The empty period is calculated from the date the property became empty.
- A premium charge is not affected by a change of ownership.
We commit to enable the provision of housing.
- We encourage owners to bring empty properties back into use and offer incentives for new owners to do this.
- New owners of empty homes can apply for a refund of any empty homes premium they have paid. This is if the property is brought back into use within one year of purchase.
For more details or to make a claim for this incentive, email: under1roof@calderdale.gov.uk.
For more details, see: Empty homes.
Second Homes Premium
From 1st April 2025
Owners of homes that are not occupied as someone’s main residence and furnished, will be subject to:
- a Council Tax charge of 100%;
- and an additional premium charge of 100%.
There may be exceptions where a premium may not be applied to second homes. We await the outcome of a government consultation. (Updates will be published here, when they are available.)