Council Tax - Second Homes and properties that have been empty for a long time

 

If you have a second home or a property that has been empty and unfurnished for more than 12 months, you will receive a 10% Council Tax discount.

This discount is only for your Council Tax charge. You will not get a 10% discount for your water and waste water charges.

A second home is a home that is no ones sole or main residence and is furnished.

For further information please contact 01506 776800 or email us at counciltax@westlothian.gov.uk

If your circumstances change you must tell us within 21 days.

 

By law West Lothian Council must protect the money we manage. We will share information you give us with other organisations responsible for auditing or managing public funds, to prevent and detect fraud.

We will review awards of discount and exemption and reserve the right to use credit reference agencies to validate any such awards.

 

Updated 22/01/2012

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

How much Council Tax do I pay on a second home?

If you have a second home you will be entitled to claim a 10% discount providing that no one is living there. If someone is resident in the property and they are over 18 years old they will be liable for Council Tax. Full Council Tax will remain payable at your sole or main residence.

I have moved to a new address but have not yet sold my old property, can I apply for any Council Tax reduction?

If the property you have vacated is unfurnished you may be entitled to claim a Council Tax exemption for up to six months (an exemption means that there is no charge for this period). After six months has lapsed you will be entitled to a 50% reduction for a further six months followed by a 10% reduction thereafter if the property remains unoccupied. If the property you have vacated is furnished you will be entitled to a 10% discount from the date you vacated until such time as the property is sold or becomes occupied.

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