People rightly question why, when there is a shortage of accommodation, so many homes are left empty for long periods. Sutton Council has decided to remove the discount people can get on Council tax if a property is empty, and to charge a premium if it is empty for over two years. We think this rightly creates an incentive to keep homes in use rather than empty, and will help with the accommodation shortage in Sutton.

At the Sutton Council meeting on 14 January the Council agreed a package of reforms to Council tax arrangements that included this provision. Richard, in his capacity as Lead Councillor on Revenues and Benefits, has been closely involved in work on these proposals, and was specifically thanked for his contribution when the Strategy and Resources Committee agreed to forward his proposals to Council.

Richard says “When there is such a shortage of homes it is wrong that the system creates an incentive to keep a property empty by giving a discount on Council tax. This change makes the incentives work in the right direction.”