COUNCILLORS in Burnley are being asked to make changes to the system of council tax reductions relating to empty properties.

At the moment the owner of a house which becomes empty and is ‘substantially’ unfurnished can apply for a 50 per cent reduction in its council tax bill for up to six months. The executive committee is being asked to amend the policy so that for the first month after a house falls empty, the owner will pay no council tax, followed by a 50 per cent reduction for five months.

Coun Mark Townsend, executive member for resources and performance management, said: “The current system sometimes leads to a lot of paperwork to deal with council tax bills that can often amount to less than £50. It doesn’t make financial sense.

“A month seems a reasonable amount of time for landlords to carry out any work needed to make properties suitable for the next tenant. The continuation of a 50 per cent reduction beyond that encourages them to ensure their properties are re-let.”