An empty property is a wasted asset and a potential home to someone who needs it.
In 2021, we declared a housing crisis to address local housing problems, making housing for local people a top priority. Many people in our communities can't afford housing, and there aren't enough affordable homes. This crisis could affect not just us, but future generations too.
An empty property is a wasted asset and could be a home for someone who needs it. Most homeowners don't leave their properties empty and try to use them. But sometimes, properties are left empty, which can cause problems and extra costs for the owner and the community, like:
Empty properties can cost owners thousands of pounds in lost rent, higher taxes, insurance, repairs, and security. They can attract bad behaviour, annoy neighbours, and lower the value of nearby properties by up to 20%.
We apply a 100% Council Tax premium on properties that have been vacant and substantially unfurnished for more than one year. See our unoccupied, empty and uninhabitable homes page for more details.
We charge 100% Council Tax on properties from the day they become empty. If a property has been empty and unfurnished for over 2 years, a long-term empty property premium applies. This charge is tied to the property, not the owner, so if you buy an empty home, you might have to pay the premium.
If work on the property takes longer than 12 months, you might be able to delay the extra charge for a year. It might be better to finish the work sooner and either rent out the property or sell it through a local agent or auction house.
There are many options in Torbay that you can find online or in local papers.
If you're planning to have work done repairing an empty property, it's worth checking the HMRC website. You might be eligible for a reduced VAT rate on both labour and materials.
If you need a trusted trade professional, like a contractor, this site has a list of businesses that have been checked and approved.
We want to help owners use empty properties again. This will help with the housing shortage in Torbay.
We can help by:
Find out more about the landlord tenancy matching scheme
Or you can call us on 01803 208025.
Learn how we are working to reduce the number of empty homes in Torbay with various measures, including support and enforcement, by visiting the Housing Policies section.