Submitted by David Gibbens on 24 February, 2011 - 16:31.
Hi Carol. The relevant piece of legislation wasn't in our library - but now it is - here. This is the SI which established the definition of second homes.
Other documents which have been in our library for a while include a recent Parliamentary publication which gives more background on discounts.
The original legislation around discounts is in the relevant parts of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
Submitted by CMillican on 24 February, 2011 - 15:04.
Some would accept it is a second home because it is furnished and vacant , as I believe council tax departments do. Then the dwelling wouldn't count as a long term empty for the New Homes Bonus calculation. An example of the perverse incentives the EHN highlighted in our consultation response. But...
Submitted by Emma Kumar on 25 February, 2011 - 13:08.
Our Council Tax have to have a evidence that the owner is paying full Council Tax at another UK address to apply a Second Homes discount.
This can work against overseas residents who keep a Secnd Home in this country but you just have to work with your owners/ Council Tax colleagues to keep an unofficial records that that particular property doesn't really need chasing as an empty.
It can be frustrating when people have a first and second home - both in Brighton - but they are allowed to do that so we just note it and only act against one or other of those properties if they are causing neighbourhood nuisance.
I thought....
that there was a definition of this in Council Tax ( sorry - a bit new to this)
Relevant information now in library
Hi Carol. The relevant piece of legislation wasn't in our library - but now it is - here. This is the SI which established the definition of second homes.
Other documents which have been in our library for a while include a recent Parliamentary publication which gives more background on discounts.
The original legislation around discounts is in the relevant parts of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
David Gibbens (EHN Policy and Support)
Some would accept it is a
Some would accept it is a second home because it is furnished and vacant , as I believe council tax departments do. Then the dwelling wouldn't count as a long term empty for the New Homes Bonus calculation. An example of the perverse incentives the EHN highlighted in our consultation response. But...
Second Homes
Our Council Tax have to have a evidence that the owner is paying full Council Tax at another UK address to apply a Second Homes discount.
This can work against overseas residents who keep a Secnd Home in this country but you just have to work with your owners/ Council Tax colleagues to keep an unofficial records that that particular property doesn't really need chasing as an empty.
It can be frustrating when people have a first and second home - both in Brighton - but they are allowed to do that so we just note it and only act against one or other of those properties if they are causing neighbourhood nuisance.
All the best
Emma Kumar
Empty property Officer
Brighton & Hove City Council