Sefton Council is proposing changes to Council Tax discount on empty and uninhabitable properties, with home owners in the borough currently receiving the most generous discounts in the Liverpool City Region.




The Council recently launched an online consultation to garner the views of local residents on the proposed changes, which could see properties vacant for less than one month have their discount reduced from 100% to 50%, while those houses that are uninhabitable will be liable for the full Council Tax amount.

Cllr. Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said:

“In Sefton we have nearly 180 homes that are unfit to occupy, and a further 435 homes that are empty – all of these properties receive Council Tax discounts that are generous when compared with our Liverpool City Region neighbours.

“By reducing the relief that owners of these properties receive, we will incentivise them to ensure they are occupied or in the case of those not fit for purpose, take the necessary steps to improve them and make them suitable for human habitation.

“At a time when we are creating new homes to support families now and as demand increases, encouraging landlords to improve the quality and availability of existing priorities is a big priority for the council.”

This quick five minute survey is open until November 1. Take part by clicking the Your Sefton Your Say website

This would be good, especially if the properties needing renovation were to be put on the market for those with limited finances, who need to become a homeowner.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to prevent greedy property developers buying up such properties, doing a quick make over on them and then selling them on for top prices. It is unfair to those who just want to buy their own homes but who have a small income and it is unfair to the buyer who purchases such properties when discovering that any faults have merely just been covered up.

An empty property is still a liability to
the council.
IE fire , burglary or squatters.

If a property is vacant but under renovation or awaiting planning approval before work begins on a renovation. Where does that leave the owner. Liable or exempt

If a property ii uninhabitable, you can't make it immediately habitable by fitting curtains and a few fixtures. There are laws that must be applied

Originally Posted by said

This would be good, especially if the properties needing renovation were to be put on the market for those with limited finances, who need to become a homeowner.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to prevent greedy property developers buying up such properties, doing a quick make over on them and then selling them on for top prices. It is unfair to those who just want to buy their own homes but who have a small income and it is unfair to the buyer who purchases such properties when discovering that any faults have merely just been covered up.

Why don't homeowners simply buy them cheaper for themselves, do the work and cut out the so called "greedy developer " ?

As a landlord in Southport. When a tenant leaves a property I have 1 month free of Council tax. Then I have to pay full Council Tax, till it is occupied.

How much do the empty business properties pay?