Property owners will now be charged premium rates of council tax after houses are left empty for one year, rather than two. The change was unanimously approved by councillors at a full council meeting of Newark and Sherwood District Council. It aims to reduce the number of unused homes in the district, and bring them back into use whether by rent or sale, as a 100% increase in council tax would be applied. Presenting the item, leader Paul Peacock explained the previous scheme to charge the additional 100% after homes had been empty for two years had already had a positive impact with 59 proper…
