Council tax empty property premium
From April 2025 an additional amount of council tax (a premium) has been charged when a property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for one year or more.
Premium charges
From 1 April 2025 the following premiums apply:
- 100% premium for properties empty one to five years
- 200% premium for properties empty five to 10 years
- 300% premium for properties empty more than 10 years
Following a Full Council Meeting on 18th March these charges will be revoked with immediate effect and the empty property premiums that were in place prior to 01/04/2025 will be reinstated.
- 100% premium for properties empty more than 2 years
Details of the meeting can be found here 18 March 2026: Council | Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
Properties incorrectly charged a premium will be updated as a priority and we expect to have completed this work by 31st March 2026.
Obtaining a Refund
If you pay by Direct Debit we will automatically refund any credit that has arisen due to the removal of the premium to your nominated bank account.
If we do not hold your bank details you can provide these to us by emailing billing.section@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk
Please include in your email the following information
- your name,
- address,
- the property the premium related to
- your account number which is detailed on your Bill.
There are exceptions to the premium charges from 1 April 2025. View the government guidance for details of these and our Council Tax Empty Homes Policy.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council apply levy of 100% for all properties empty for longer than two years.
Changes of liability or ownership
Premium charge remains tied to the property, even if the owner or tenant changes. If your property had been left empty for two years or more at the time of purchase or lease, you’ll still have to pay the premium charge while it remains empty. The property must be in use to remove the premium charge.
The council may request supporting documentation before removal of the premium charge. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Uninhabitable or properties undergoing structural or major repairs
There is no exemption available for these types of properties. Exemption Class A was abolished as of 1 April 2013.
If you believe that you have been inappropriately charged a premium on a dwelling, you should in the first instance contact us at: billing.section@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk.