Crawley Borough Council’s cabinet has agreed to increase Council Tax rates for empty properties. 

The decision was made to give an incentive to property owners to bring them back into occupation.  Currently, owners of empty properties are required to pay an additional 50% on top of the normal rate of tax according to the property’s banding.  However amendments to the Rating and Council Tax Act 2018 means local authorities can apply a higher rate to properties that have remained unoccupied for more than two years.

The increased rate of Council Tax will be dependent on the number of years the property has remained vacant. The changes will take place from 1st April next year.