General Election 2019: Lib Dems pledge 500% council tax rise for people who keep houses empty

Landlords and property owners who fuel the housing crisis by keeping property empty should pay for the damage they are causing society, ex-Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has said.

Unveiling plans that would let local authorities raise council tax on houses left empty long term by 500%, the Liberal Democrats said empty homes were “tearing apart” communities across the country.

In a bid to tackle Britain’s housing crisis, the party has unveiled plans that could force hoarding owners to put property back on the market. 

The latest Government statistics show that there are up to 216,186 homes left empty long-term in England.

Tim Farron said the plans would let councils rebuild communities wrecked lack of access to housing (Getty Images Europe)

The party claim that over 11,000 homes in England that have been left vacant for over 10 years.

Currently councils can raise council tax bills on homes left empty for between two and five years from 50% to up to 100%.

For homes empty for between 5 and 10 years, councils are able to increase the premium by up to 200% and up to 300 per cent for homes empty for 10 years or more.

But the Lib Dem plan would slash that barrier - letting councils start raising cash from properties left empty for more than six months.

Under the plans, cash strapped councils would be able to reinvest the money raised in building new homes for the community or in local services.

Lib Dem Local Government and Communities spokesman Mr Farron told the Mirror that communities were being “ripped apart” by empty properties. 

Mr Farron said: “As the country faces a housing crisis, people are crying out for genuinely affordable homes.

"But they are being priced out of their local communities because of the shocking rise of empty homes. Communities across the country – particularly in rural areas - are being ripped apart because wealthy owners are treating these properties as financial assets rather than a place to live.

"This demonstrates a complete lack of regard for the impacts on local people.

"Instead of tackling this issue head-on, the Conservatives continue to kick the can down the road, selling rural communities and young people short in the process.”