June 15, 2020 - 1351 views
Conwy County Borough Council is carrying out a survey about the Council Tax premiums to be levied on second homes and long-term empty homes for next year.
The premium is designed to encourage owners to bring empty properties into use and support the increase of affordable housing for purchase or let in local communities.
At a meeting in January this year, the Council resolved the premiums for 2020 and 2021. It was decided a 50% premium would apply from April 2021.
The Council also agreed that it would have the opportunity to review the effect Council Tax premiums are having before the April 2021 rate is implemented.
Now, as part of the research that the Council is doing, it wants to hear from second and long term empty property owners, as well as those who don’t own such properties, on what the premium should be.
The survey also gives the opportunity for people to give their opinion on what effect of the premium has on tourism, the Welsh language and affordable housing.
Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory, said, “This consultation is open to everyone to complete. We have written to second home owners and long-term empty property owners who are directly affected, but obviously we want to engage with as many people as possible in Conwy County to get their views too.”
The results of the survey and other research, will be taken into account by Councillors when they consider the final decision about what premium to apply for next year.
Over 600 people responded last time the consultation was carried out in 2019 to look at the premiums for this year.
The consultation closes on 26 June 2020. And is available here: https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Council-Tax/Council-Tax-Consultation.aspx
