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Easter service changes

During the Easter period, some of our services will be operating slightly different hours. Our council’s bin collection schedule will change for one week starting on Friday 29 March to make sure everyone’s waste is picked up around the bank holiday.

See the full schedule and your amended rubbish and recycling collection dates and other service changes including parking and library opening times over the Easter period.

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Empty property charges

Council tax is payable on properties that are empty.  A 100% council tax premium will be charged on properties left empty for two years or longer. This is known as the ‘empty homes premium’.

A full council tax charge applies to all empty properties, including:

  • second homes
  • unoccupied but furnished properties
  • properties undergoing major repair or structural alteration
  • properties that are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for less than two years.

Properties empty for more than two years

  • If a property is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for between two and five years, you are liable for a 200 per cent council tax charge per year.
  • If a property has been empty for more than five years, you are liable for a 300 per cent council tax charge per year.

Bring your empty property back in use

If you want help to bring your empty property back into use, contact the residential environmental health team:

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