Council Tax on empty properties
You must pay Council Tax on a property if it is:
- empty and unfurnished
- empty and furnished
- a second home that is not job related
- uninhabitable
Some empty or unoccupied properties may be entitled to an exemption.
Premium for unoccupied and unfurnished properties
You will have to pay a premium charge if you have a property that is unoccupied and unfurnished and has not had anyone living there as their main residence for a year or more. The premium added will be 100% of your current bill.
| Empty duration | Premium | Total bill |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | Nil | 100% |
| Between 1 and 5 years | 100% | 200% |
| Between 5 and 10 years | 200% | 300% |
| Over 10 years | 300% | 400% |
Second homes or unoccupied furnished properties
There is no discount in Hounslow for properties that are occupied as second homes (where the owner's main home is elsewhere) or for furnished properties that are not occupied by someone as their main home, including rented properties in between tenancies.
From 1 April 2025 a 100% premium will also be introduced for properties which are used as second homes or which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished.
