Edinburgh Council's Finance and Budget Committee today approved outline plans to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in the capital.
Following changes in Scottish Government legislation, the Council can now go ahead with reducing Council Tax discounts on empty or unfurnished homes after 6 months from 50 per cent to 10 per cent, and completely after a year. (See the report at the foot of this page.)
Discounts would continue to apply if a property were being 'actively' marketed. This policy will be introduced in 'the second half of 2013/14', alongside citywide publicity.
Council records suggest there are currently 1,700 empty homes in Edinburgh, and a further 5,800 which qualify for second-home discounts. According to the report, the key measure of the policy's success will be the reduction of long-term empty properties in Edinburgh. However, it also anticipates that fewer empty homes will lead to a reduction in related property vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Convener of the Committee and City Centre councillor Alasdair Rankin said in a press release this afternoon:
'Even though Edinburgh has a relatively low level of empty homes in both the social and private sectors, the Council has a duty to look at all the options open to us to deliver more homes.
'It is of utmost importance that we bring more empty homes back into use and council tax is just one of the avenues that the Council is looking to use. This report is undoubtedly a major step forward in tackling this pressing issue.'
The initiative comes thanks to the work of Edinburgh's Empty Homes Taskforce, whose establishment we reported in Breaking news (6.9.12). It has representatives from all political groups, Shelter/Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, Orchard and Shipman and the Link Housing Association.
Spurtle is particularly interested in the issue since it drew cross-party consensus at the City Centre ward hustings held last April.
Spurtle reckons this is a considered and well-balanced development, but perhaps we've missed something. Tell us what you think by email: spurtle@hotmail.co.uk Twitter: @theSpurtle Facebook: Broughton Spurtle
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