An empty property is one that is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished.

In Crawley, empty properties receive a 100% Council Tax discount for the first seven days after they become unoccupied. After this initial period, the full standard Council Tax charge applies.

From 1 April 2025, a Council Tax premium will apply to properties that have been empty and substantially unfurnished for over one year. Previously, this threshold was two years, but the change is being introduced to encourage the return of empty homes to use more quickly.

Once a property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for over one year, the following premiums will be added to the standard Council Tax charge.

• 1 to 5 years = 100% premium    
• 5 to 10 years  = 200% premium          
• 10 years or more = 300% premium     

These premiums are applied automatically to all eligible properties.

The Council Tax premium on long-term empty properties is designed to:

• encourage property owners to bring empty homes back into use to increase the availability of housing for residents
• support the local community by reducing the number of empty and neglected properties
• ensure fairness by requiring owners of long-term empty properties to contribute more towards local services

Some empty properties may qualify for an exemption from the premium under specific circumstances. If you believe your property falls under one of these exceptions, you must contact us with supporting evidence.

• the property is actively being marketed for sale or rent: if you are genuinely trying to sell or rent the property, you may be exempt from the premium for up to one year. A listing with an estate agent or letting agency showing that the property is actively being marketed is required as evidence
• the property is undergoing major structural repairs: if the property is uninhabitable due to major structural works, for example, foundation repairs and extensive renovations, it may be eligible for relief for up to 12 months. Evidence required:
  • A surveyor’s report confirming the work required and
  • planning or building control documents and 
  • photographs showing the condition of the property
• the property is in probate: if the property is part of an ongoing probate process following the owner’s passing, the premium will not apply until 12 months after the grant of probate/letters of administration. A copy of the probate application or grant is required as evidence
• the property is an annexe to another home: if the empty property is an annexe to another dwelling and is being used as part of the main residence, it may be exempt from the premium. Confirmation of the annexe’s use is required as evidence
• the property is a second home due to armed forces accommodation: if a property would be someone’s sole or main residence but they are required to live elsewhere in job-related armed forces accommodation, the second home premium will not apply.
  This applies to serving members of the UK Armed Forces who are required to live in Ministry of Defence accommodation as part of their service. A letter from the Ministry of Defence confirming the requirement to reside in armed forces accommodation is required as evidence
   

If you believe your property qualifies for an exemption, please contact us as soon as possible and provide supporting evidence.

Email taxation@crawley.gov.uk 

When emailing us, include:

• your Council Tax account number
• the property address
• a brief explanation of why you believe the premium should not apply
• supporting documents as outlined in the exceptions above

Each application will be assessed on an individual basis and we will confirm whether an exemption can be granted.