Empty homes that are brought back into use could qualify for the same incentive payments as new houses. The government has published a consultation document on the new homes bonus scheme, suggesting it should also apply to empty homes. Under the new homes bonus, councils that build homes will be rewarded with payments equal to the council tax revenue from the properties for six years after they are built. For affordable housing, the consultation suggests the payment should be increased by a flat rate of £350 per home per year. It says this would amount to a payment of roughly 125 per cent of council tax income, which was the sum suggested in earlier announcements. The six week consultation asks whether the £350 payment is sufficient, whether empty homes should be included, what the definition of affordable housing should be, and a range of other technical issues relating to the operation of the scheme. Read more on Inside Housing.
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