Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative Spokesman for Housing and Planning, has called for South Lanarkshire Council to charge double council tax on empty properties, following the example of other councils across Scotland.
This follows research by the BBC which revealed that more than 15,000 empty homes were charged double council tax last year in a bid to reduce the number of unoccupied properties in Scotland. Freedom of Information requests to all 32 Scottish local authorities showed that almost £36 million of additional revenue has been raised in the past four years. This amounts to about £12 million last year East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire, Orkney and Shetland do not currently charge extra council tax on long-term empty properties.
Graham Simpson said “I am calling on South Lanarkshire Council to bring into force a levy on empty properties through the council tax system.
“Under the SNP the total number of long term empty properties and second homes has increased from 52,823 in 2006 to 2017 to 62,795. This highlights that bringing empty properties back into use, is of upmost importance. The SNP administration in South Lanarkshire must follow the example of councils across Scotland.
“An empty homes levy could bring in revenues which would fund local services whilst enticing owners to bring properties back into use. Whilst this would not solve Scotland’s housing shortage it can play a part in the solution”.