The Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc.) (Scotland) Bill was introduced in Parliament on 26 March 2012. It is a short Bill with three main provisions. The Bill proposes to :
- Allow the Scottish Government to bring forward regulations to alter the level of empty property relief for certain empty commercial properties under the non-domestic rates regime
- Enable the Scottish Government to bring forward regulations to allow Scottish local authorities to increase council tax charges on certain long-term empty homes
- Abolish the requirement on the Scottish Government to pay Housing Support Grant, currently only paid to the Shetland Islands Council.
It is anticipated that all measures would be in effect from April 2013, subject to the Bill and subsequent regulations being approved.
This briefing covers each of the three main provisions, explaining the current position, the proposed changes, their anticipated cost and reaction to the proposals.
Read SPICe Briefing:
Published: 3 May 2012