150% extra council tax for empty homes

Owners of over 1,000 properties that have remained unoccupied for more than a year in Gwynedd will soon be subjected to a 150% extra council tax. Previously, these empty home owners have been paying a 100% surcharge since 2021, but the full council recently voted to increase the rate.

The updated levy, which matches the charge applied to second homes in the region, is intended to address the ongoing housing shortage and will take effect in April 2026.

Paul Rowlinson, Gwynedd Council's housing cabinet member, emphasized that the policy aims to provide local residents with more affordable housing options. He pointed out that "experience from other councils shows that increasing the premium beyond 100% helps reduce the number of vacant properties."

Critics argue, however, that high council tax surcharges alone do not make homes more affordable, and that the construction of additional housing is necessary. Estate agent Dafydd Hardy noted that imposing heavy taxes on holiday homes or unoccupied houses does not always yield the desired outcome. He suggested that building more homes where there is demand would be a more effective solution.

Rowlinson responded that the collected premiums are partially used to fund new housing projects. "There are over 4,000 people registered for housing in the county," he said. "Each week, around 20 people approach us as homeless. It's crucial that properties are seen as homes for people rather than investment opportunities."

Author: Ethan Caldwell