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Empty Property: Council Tax

Asked by Steve BarclayConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 16 June 2026UIN 8033

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applications for discretionary council tax reductions on empty properties following bereavement have been (a) made and (b) granted by local authorities in each of the past five years; and what guidance the Government provides to councils on defining exceptional financial circumstances or vulnerability in this context.

Answered by Alison McGovern

The administration of council tax is the responsibility of local authorities, this involves administering exemptions and discounts. The department does not hold data on applications for discretionary council tax reductions on empty properties following bereavement, and has not published guidance on exceptional financial circumstances or vulnerability in this context.

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