Derby City Council may double council tax on empty homes from 2025 and second homes from 2026, potentially raising £1.6M.
If the council agrees, it will cost more. Empty homes could have double council tax, starting in April 2025 if approved. The home must be empty for one year.
Second homes might also have double tax, planned for April 2026. They think it will get them more money, about £1.6 million, they figure.
They asked people what they thought in a survey last year, for nine weeks. Most people liked the idea, with forty-seven percent really agreeing with it.
New rules, from the Levelling Up Act, allow this change. They can tax empty homes sooner now, and second homes can also be taxed more.
They hope this helps the housing market, so empty homes can be used again. More people could actually find places.
They want owners to sell or live there, to get vacant houses used. This could really help people get housing.
The city also gets extra tax money. This could help improve city services. The council meets Wednesday to discuss it.