IF YOU’RE posted abroad and you own a home back in the UK, which is vacant but furnished, you’re no longer entitled to the second home council tax reduction.

AFF has become aware of a few families being charged more than 100 per cent council tax on an empty property, which has been vacant for more than two years, known as the ‘empty homes premium’.

In England, Scotland and Wales, the empty homes premium cannot apply to homes that are empty due to the occupant living in armed forces accommodation for job-related purposes. There’s no stipulation that the SFA must be in the UK and AFF has approached the MOD’s covenant team for clarification on this point. They said: “Where the service person is overseas and the council is seeking to charge a levy of 200 per cent, then this is contrary to the guidance on gov.uk and should be challenged.”

Appeal to your local council but also let us know at housing@aff.org.uk

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