Complete our empty homes survey
Long-term empty properties and second homes in Newport will be subject to a council tax premium.
A premium is an additional amount of council tax to be paid on top of the standard council tax bill.
The premium is intended to:
- bring long-term empty homes back into use to provide safe, secure and affordable homes
- support councils in increasing the supply of affordable housing and improve local communities
A council tax premium of 100% will be charged to:
- long-term empty properties from 1 April 2024
- second homes from 1 April 2025
A long-term empty property is a dwelling that is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for a continuous period of at least one year.
A second home is a dwelling which is not a person's sole or main home and is substantially furnished.
This can include properties used for short term holiday lets which are subject to council tax and don’t qualify for the statutory exemptions.
Exceptions to the premium
If your property falls into one of the following categories then you may be eligible for an exception and only have to pay the standard council tax charge for the property.
Long-term empty properties and second homes
- class 1 - dwellings being actively marketed for sale - this is time limited for one year
- class 2 - dwellings being actively marketed for let under a tenancy on terms and conditions for a minimum period of 6 months (not holiday lets / Airbnb short term lets) - this is time limited for 1 year
- class 3 - annexes forming part of, or being treated as part of the main dwelling
- class 4 - dwellings which would be someone's sole or main residence if they were not residing in armed forces accommodation
Second homes only
- class 5 - occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings
- class 6 - dwellings where a planning condition:
- restricts occupancy for a continuous period of at least 28 days in any one year period
- specifies that the dwelling may be used only as a holiday let or
- prevents occupancy as a person's sole or main residence
- class 7 - job-related dwellings
- provided by an employer for the employee, for the purpose of work duties as confirmed in their employment contract and the employee is the resident liable party of that property
Apply for an exception
If you think your property falls into any of the exception classes, please complete the form below. You will need to provide evidence, such as one of the following:
- an estate agent's agreement or contract and the direct link to the agent's website showing your property is being advertised for sale or let
- a payslip showing contribution in lieu of council tax for armed forces personnel
- a planning reference number for annexes or properties with planning restrictions
- an employment contract for job-related dwellings
Local exceptions
In addition to the above, Newport City Council will allow an exception to a premium in the following circumstances:
Local exception A
Where an empty property does not have a separate entrance and can only be accessed through an existing business premises and it is not possible to create a separate entrance, for example, by blocking-up or unblocking a doorway.
The exception will be granted annually and will be reviewed and inspected periodically.
This category will not apply if the building is altered to remove an existing separate entrance.
This exception will end if the property becomes occupied or a separate entrance is created.
Local exception B
Where a premium is payable on a long-term empty property that is sold, the new owner will not be charged a premium for the first three months following the date of purchase.
To qualify the property sale must be evidenced by registration with the Land Registry or by the solicitors acting for the parties.
No premium shall apply until three months after the completion of the sale.
If a premium falls due within in the first three months of new ownership, an exception will be granted that is equivalent to no premium being due until three months after the date of purchase.
The exception will end on the date that the property is occupied or when the time limit is reached.
Local exception C
Where a premium is payable on a long-term empty property that is sold, the new owner will not be charged a premium for up to six months while major building work is being carried out with the intention of bringing the property back into use.
This exception will only be awarded following an inspection and a detailed schedule of works being provided.
To qualify:
- the application must be made within 12 months of the change of ownership and the property sale must be evidenced by registration with the Land Registry or by the solicitors acting for the parties
- works being carried out must be structural and substantial, this exception will not apply to minor works for example replacement windows or the renewal of a bathroom or kitchen
- the owner may be entitled to claim a class A exemption if this has not already been awarded to a previous owner. Should a class A exemption apply the owner will receive this exception only in cases where less than six months exemption can be awarded, the owner will receive an exception that is equivalent to no premium being charged for six months
- regardless of circumstances the maximum exception that will be awarded to a new owner is six months and in the event that the new owner has already received exception B, and then commences structural work, only a further three month exception under exception C will be awarded
- exception C will end when the work is completed, the property is occupied or the time limit as detailed above is reached
If you believe you are entitled to one of the local exceptions please email us with the required evidence.
More information
Newport’s premiums are in accordance with section 12a & 12b of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as inserted by Section 139 Housing (Wales) Act 2014,
If you would like to bring an empty property back into full-time use, advice and guidance are available from Newport City Council’s empty homes team.