Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Spokesman for Housing and Planning, welcomes that South Lanarkshire Council are examining a 200 per cent council tax on properties that have not been occupied for more than a year – excluding second and holiday homes. This provides an additional £250,000 to fund vital local services.
The Council’s proposals follow Graham Simpson’s calls, earlier this year, for the council to charge double council tax on empty properties - following the example of other councils across Scotland.
Research by the BBC revealed that more than 15,000 empty homes were charged double council tax last year in a bid to reduce the number of unoccupied properties in Scotland. When this data was published only East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire, Orkney and Shetland do not charge extra council tax on long-term empty properties.
Graham Simpson said “I welcome South Lanarkshire Council examining a levy on empty properties, through the council tax system. I am delighted that my calls for the Council to charge double council tax on empty properties could be implemented.
“Under the SNP the total number of long term empty properties and second homes has increased from 52,823 in 2006 to 2017 to 62,795. This highlights that bringing empty properties back into use, is of upmost importance.
“This empty homes levy will provide an additional £250,000 in revenues which will fund vital local services whilst enticing owners to bring properties back into use. Whilst this does not solve Scotland’s housing shortage it does have a part to play”.