Owners of empty homes around Bromley could face tax increase

Own an empty home around Bromley? It’s about to start costing you.

Bromley council’s executive is set to vote on the introduction of an Empty Homes Premium, which would see homeowners in the borough charged an additional council tax if their homes are left unoccupied.

Under the proposal, the authority would charge an additional 50 per cent for properties empty for longer than two years, increasing to 100 per cent where the property has been empty for five years .

The new charge would be introduced from April 2020.

According to the council, an empty home is one that has been “unoccupied” and “substantially unfurnished” for two years or more.

Earlier this year the authority undertook public consultation on the proposal.