Council Tax Discount
We are offering an extra incentive for owners by awarding a 100% local discount for up to six months, once renovation works have been completed on former uninhabitable or long-term empty properties (vacant 12 months or more), and the works have brought the property up to the Gold Accreditation Standard.
The scheme will operate retrospectively, so the discount is awarded once the works are completed, an inspection has been made and the property is occupied. The Council Tax that has been paid throughout the renovation period will then be refunded to the owner.
Participation in the scheme is conditional upon there being no Council Tax arrears or debt owed to Burnley Council. Where the applicant has multiple properties, all accounts for each property must be paid up to date, not just those affecting the relevant property.
To be eligible for this new local Council Tax discount, the property must be in a certain state of disrepair and include significant category 1 Hazards as defined by the Housing Act 2004:
- have been vacant for a minimum period of 12 months (not lived in)
- be unfurnished
- be undergoing renovation works that will achieve the Council’s Gold Accreditation Standard and be completed with the property occupied within a timeframe of 6 months
A copy of the Empty Home Loan Policy can be downloaded from this page and is also available for inspection at the Council’s office.
Partnership work
Housing work closely with several other units across the Council to tackle the problems associated with empty homes e.g. anti-social behaviour, crime and fly-tipping.
