Bromley Council is considering expanding its empty homes premium to properties that have been vacant for just one year, a move that could generate additional income and help bring empty properties back into use. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on January 19, 2026.
The committee heard that currently, the premium – an additional charge on top of Council Tax for unoccupied homes – applies to properties empty for two years or more. The Council continues to apply the premium from the two-year threshold, as implemented in April 2020. This means there is no premium charged for properties empty for between one and two years. National legislation, however, now permits councils to apply this premium after just one year.
An update on the Council's position regarding empty homes revealed that in September 2025, 3,068 properties in Bromley were registered as vacant. Of these, 497 properties had been empty for over two years, classifying them as long-term empty homes. The 3,068 vacant properties included a mixture of private, registered social landlord (RSL), and Council-owned homes.
Despite the existing premium rates, which can reach up to 300% for properties empty for over 10 years and generated an estimated £1,011,142 in additional revenue in the 2024/25 financial year, the number of long-term empty homes has increased. The Council's strategy for addressing this increase includes sending letters to empty homes inviting owners to respond to suggestions for bringing them back into use. These suggestions range from the Council purchasing the home, directing a Council renovation and leasing programme, providing updated empty homes guidance, a renovation grant and council tax relief scheme, planning process improvements, and legal and probate support. The Council is also updating its website to provide an updated empty homes support page with advice and guidance for owners on renting or selling. Furthermore, the Council is exploring active solutions through data gathering exercises and lobbying government to fund programmes that support bringing empty homes back into use. The report also notes that while enforcement powers are available to local authorities, these are costly in terms of resources and currently this initiative is not funded.
Councillor Tony Owen, Chairman of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee, had previously moved a recommendation that the Council's Executive agree to expand the empty homes premium to apply to properties empty for more than one year. This referral was considered by the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee.
During the discussion, members noted that the earlier estimate of potential income from a one-year levy was approximate and likely lower due to exemptions and properties empty for social care reasons. The Head of Regeneration advised that there were no further updated figures and emphasised to Members that the earlier estimate was very approximate and the actual figure was likely to be significantly lower due to the large number of exemptions and the prevalence of properties empty for social care reasons.
Previously, a very rough estimate suggested that circa £600k could be raised in additional income should the empty homes levy be applied to properties empty for over a year.
Members also requested information on exemptions applied to properties empty for over 5 and 10 years. Following debate, the committee resolved that the Executive should consider having a further report back at a future date on the matter. The Chairman proposed that the Executive consider having a further report back at a future date. The motion was seconded by Councillor Michael, put to the vote and carried.
See the Public reports pack Monday 19-Jan-2026 19.00 Executive Resources and Contracts Policy Development for more details.
