Lib Dem council takes action on empty homes in budget

Today, Liberal Democrat-run Westmorland and Furness Council have approved plans designed at reducing the number of empty homes in our area as part of their budget.

From this April, homes that have been left empty for more than a year will be hit with a 100% council tax premium. Meanwhile there will be a 300% council tax increase for those properties that have been left empty for more than 10 years.

The council also gave the green light to plans which will see second homes face a 100% increase in council tax.

This comes just days after the Government finally agreed to change planning rules to limit the number of short term lets in local communities. The announcement, which comes after a long-running campaign by local Lib Dem MP Tim Farron, will mean people will need planning permission to convert family homes into short-term lets and airbnbs.

Andrew Jarvis, Cabinet member for Finance and Lib Dem councillor for Windermere and Ambleside said: “We have a housing crisis across Westmorland and Furness, with so many people unable to stay, work and raise a family in the area they grew up in.

“Meanwhile our local towns and villages are littered with homes which are frustratingly sat empty.

“The action we have taken today will not only help bring these empty homes back into use for local residents, but will also help us to raise funds that we can use to invest in on our priorities and help communities that have been hit by declining populations.”

Tim Farron MP added: “The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues our area faces, with damaging consequences for local schools, businesses and communities.

“So I’m really pleased to see our local Lib Dem Council taking decisive action to bring empty homes back into use for local people so we can turn the tide on this housing crisis.”