Empty property and second home charges

Discounts and exemptions

Empty property and second home council tax charges

Norwich City Council does not offer a discount for empty properties.

Instead, extra charges apply if a property is:

• empty and unfurnished (long-term empty premium)
• empty and furnished (second home premium).

Long-term empty premium

If your property is unfurnished and unoccupied, you’ll pay extra on top of your normal Council Tax:

• 100% extra after 12 months
• 200% extra after 5 years
• 300% extra after 10 years

Second home premium

From 1 April 2025, if your property is furnished but no one lives there, you’ll be charged a 100% premium immediately.

Are you eligible for an exception?

You may be exempt from the premium if:

For both long-term empty and second homes:

• you live elsewhere in armed forces accommodation
• the property is an annexe to a main home
• it’s for sale or rent (up to 12 months)
• probate has been granted recently (up to 12 months).

Second homes only:

• you live elsewhere in a job-related home
• it’s a caravan pitch or boat mooring
• it’s a seasonal home with restrictions on year-round use.

Claim exception from the second home premium

Long-term empty only:

• the property needs or is undergoing major repairs or structural work (up to 12 months).

Claim exception from the long-term empty property premium

View our full premium policy