No charge applies to unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property, or to property undergoing or requiring structural alteration or major works for up to seven days only. A full Council Tax charge applies to any property that remains unoccupied and unfurnished for longer than seven days.

An additional charge of 50 per cent, called a premium, applies to properties that have been unoccupied for over two years. However a premium charge of 100 per cent applies to properties that have been substantially unfurnished and unoccupied for between two and five years. Properties that have been substantially unfurnished and unoccupied for over five years will be subject to a premium of 200 per cent.

With effect from 1 April 2021, the premium charges will be:

• 100 per cent premium for properties empty for between two to five years
• 200 per cent for properties empty between five to ten years
• 300 per cent for properties empty over ten years