An empty home is any house or flat that has been vacant for 6 months or more. We want to see all empty homes brought back into use because they are a wasted opportunity when there is so much need for housing in our area.
Report empty homes
You can report empty homes to the Council Tax Team who will investigate to make sure the Empty Property Premium is being correctly applied. We apply this premium to encourage owners of empty homes to bring them back into use.
We can assist if an empty property is causing problems with antisocial behaviour, rats or other pests, or the condition of the property is causing a statutory nuisance, e.g. due to damp penetrating a neighbouring property.
VAT discounts on renovating empty homes
VAT for building work to empty properties can be charged at a reduced or zero-rate. Further details on VAT discounts on renovating empty homes are available from No Use Empty.
We can provide a letter which you can use as evidence to HMRC confirming how long the property has been empty for. There is a fee for this service to cover our administrative costs.
To request a VAT exemption letter, email housing.standards@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.
Advice visits
If you have an empty property and would like guidance on how to make the property suitable for letting to private tenants, you can request a landlord advice visit. There is a fee for this service.
To request an advice visit, email housing.standards@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.