Call for tax rise on empty homes

Oct 14 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PEOPLE who own empty homes in Calderdale could face a huge council tax increase.

At the moment they get a 50% discount – but that now may be cut to just 10%.

There are now around 3,000 properties in Calderdale which have been unoccupied for more than six months.

While some of these are second homes, half have been unoccupied for over a year and one quarter for more than two years.

On Thursday, Calderdale Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Panel will consider options including changing this discount to only 10% in a bid to make leaving houses empty a less attractive option for their owners.