Argyll and Bute Council has said it is to charge double the amount of council tax on long-term empty homes in the area as part of efforts to bring the properties back into use.

From April 2014, as part of an initiative to increase access to affordable housing, the local authority will charge double council tax on those properties which have been lying empty for more than two years.

Bringing empty homes back into use is a key priority of Argyll and Bute's Local Housing Strategy and the Council has taken a number of steps to help achieve their aims.

The authority added that it can provide, in certain circumstances, refurbishment grants and loan funding to property owners. A total of £3m has been earmarked for this purpose.

In addition, an Empty Homes Officer has been recruited to work alongside property owners to ensure they know how to access the grants and loans available.

The decision to charge double council tax is the latest proposal to bring empty homes back into use. The charge will also apply to properties which have been empty for one year – if they are not being actively marketed for sale or rent at appropriate terms.

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The charge comes into affect from 1 April 2014, but the council has announced the policy now to allow homeowners the time to do something with empty properties before the changes.

All owners who may be affected by the new rules will be contacted and the council has said it is important for owners to respond within 21 days and provide accurate information as failure to do so could result in a penalty of £500 on top of the council tax bill.

Owners with second homes which are used for at least 25 days a year will not be affected.

Argyll and Bute Council's Lead Councillor for Housing, Councillor George Freeman, said: "Empty homes can have a very negative effect on local communities. They can adversely affect the quality of life for neighbours, make it harder for people to find affordable homes locally and reduces the numbers of active households benefitting the local economy.

"We would prefer to find ways of helping owners bring empty houses back into use rather than make additional charges. That is why we are letting people know in plenty of time so that they can take steps to deal with this now which may help them to avoid the extra charges.

"Where the new double council tax charge is applied, the council will set aside this income to benefit local areas."

As of June 2013, there were 1,470 properties in Argyll and Bute which were classed as 'unoccupied', and where the new charge could potentially apply – unless they are occupied before April 2014. The occupancy status of a further 1,000 properties has also been checked by the council, because tax bills are being sent to a different address.

(JP/MH)