Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the empty home premium applies to (a) retirement and (b) care properties where the tenant has passed away and ownership has fallen to an executor.

Local authorities have the discretionary power to charge a council tax premium on long-term empty dwellings in their area. Where the premium is in place, it applies to properties that have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The government has introduced regulations on mandatory exceptions, which are explained in guidance here, including an exception where probate has been granted. Once the exemption period has ended, normal rules on empty properties apply.