Council Tax On Empty Houses Set To Rocket To Three Times Usual Fee

The owners of empty houses and flats and properties in Swindon could be facing a big bill come April. Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet has approved the idea that council tax on such properties which have lain empty for five years or more could be charged three times the rate of the same property if it was occupied. The plan is to encourage people to bring empty houses and flats back into use, and will be incorporated into next year’s council budget. Read more on the Swindon Advertiser website.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18099598.council-tax-empty-houses-swindon-set-rocket-three-times-usual-fee/

Landlords Warn Of ‘Sharp Drop’ In Private Rental Supply

Landlords are warning of a crisis in the private rental market, as new figures show a sharp drop in supply over the last year. According to the latest Residential Market Survey by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, last month saw a net balance of minus 29% of surveyors reporting a fall in landlord instructions – twice the negative rating in November 2018. With tenant demand continuing to increase, RICS predicts that this will lead to rent increases of around 2% over the next year and around 3% a year over the next five years. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/landlords-warn-of-sharp-drop-in-private-rental-supply/