Are you paying too much tax for your empty home in North Kesteven?

And if the home is now occupied it will be in the interest of the taxpayer to respond quickly in order that the Council can maintain accurate records and to prevent the additional Council Tax charges that can be incurred if the property remains recorded as unoccupied for long periods.

On the council’s behalf, a company called Capacitygrid will be sending out letters to the owners of around 350 houses understood to be empty and unfurnished. Owners should respond direct to the company or use the council’s website: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk and search for ‘empty homes review’.

The review has to be completed by the end of the month.

Coun Ray Cucksey, executive board member with responsibility for finance and resources, said it was important that the council correctly understood the current status of properties in order for charges to be properly and correctly applied.

“There are almost 55,000 homes in North Kesteven so the percentage that are unoccupied is very small. Whether a home is occupied or not and furnished or not, it is important that we know so that the right amount of Council Tax is billed. Bringing empty homes back into habitation is good for the local community, the owner and the broader Council as they can attract New Homes Bonus from the Government and ensures the Council receives the right levels of income to secure local service delivery.”