**Impact of Increased Council Tax on Empty and Second Homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf Revealed**
The drive to reduce the number of vacant and second homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) by imposing council tax premiums is showing signs of progress, although local leaders admit that recovery is gradual and challenging.
Councillors in RCT have been grappling with the persistent issue of empty properties, a concern amplified by housing shortages and the detrimental effects empty buildings can have on neighbourhoods. At a recent community services committee meeting, Councillor Bob Harris, the cabinet member for public health and communities, responded to questions regarding the premiums applied to long-term empty and second homes. His comments painted a complex picture, balancing the positive outcomes of the policy with the hurdles the council still faces.
According to the figures presented by Cllr Harris, there has been a notable reduction in such properties since the council introduced the new premiums. As of July 2025, the number of long-term empty properties and second homes had dropped by 11%, falling from 2,078 to 1,849 since April 2023. Specifically, empty homes subject to the premium have decreased by 23%, meaning that 1,289 long-term empty properties now fall within the higher tax bracket. This suggests that the financial deterrent is compelling some owners to either sell or bring these homes back into occupation.
Second homes, too, have seen a reduction, though at a slightly slower rate. Since April 2024, when RCT started applying premiums to these properties, their number dropped by 9%. Of the remaining 560 second homes subject to the increased tax, a further 650 properties have not yet met the criteria for the premium, often because they have not been empty long enough to be classified as long-term. Notably, 210 of the 650 are currently listed for sale or rent and are granted a temporary exemption from the premium.
While the council celebrates this downward trend, Cllr Harris was careful to highlight the complexity and slow pace of progress, describing the issue as “very difficult.” Social landlords own 230 of the empty homes, and their cooperation is identified as crucial. Cllr Sheryl Evans questioned what additional measures are in place to encourage these landlords to reintroduce their properties to the housing market, noting the pressing need for more affordable homes in the region. Cllr Harris assured the committee that efforts to engage with social landlords are ongoing, though he stopped short of giving a detailed action plan.
Aside from the housing shortage, the state of some properties raises safety and aesthetic concerns. Cllr Norman Morgan reported that many of the vacant premises in his ward are commercial properties that have stood empty for decades, often falling into a state of disrepair. Their deteriorating condition can make areas less attractive and contribute to wider social issues. Cllr Morgan called for greater authority or intervention from the council to address such sites, a matter that Cllr Harris agreed warrants a formal response from council officers.
The effects on communities are not just physical but also psychological. Councillor Ros Davis observed the negative impact large, derelict buildings can have on community morale and safety. She urged the council to employ every possible strategy to pursue property owners and reclaim these sites, sometimes complicated further when owners live overseas or have lost contact entirely. A recent case in her ward involved efforts to trace the owner of a historic but abandoned property who had relocated to Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic, underlining the difficult practicalities involved.
The local authority has also adopted stiffer penalties for homes left empty for extended periods. Last September, RCT Council approved measures to triple council tax on properties left empty for over three years and double it on those left vacant for one to three years, adding further incentives for owners to take action.
These policy changes are part of a wider effort by local councils across Wales to address the housing crisis. While progress is being made, RCT’s experience underlines the complexities councils face in ensuring properties do not remain unoccupied long-term. The ongoing challenge will be to accelerate these positive trends and overcome the remaining obstacles to revitalise communities and address local housing needs.