County may increase tax premiums on homes left empty for a long time

COUNCIL tax premiums on long-term empty homes could be increased further.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

Cyngor Gwynedd said the number of empiy homes in Gwynedd remains “a concern” amid ongoing work to bring vacant properties back into use to help tackle a “housing crisis’

According to a report, as of June 2025 there were 1,121 long-term vacant properties in the county.

Some 572 had been empty for between one and three years, while 231 had been empty for between three and five years. A total of 316 had been unoccupied for more than five years.

A council report noted: “Over 500 dwellings were vacant in Gwynedd for over three years in the context of a situation where a housing crisis has been identified”

It added that its Empty Homes Team within the Housing and Property Department were also “addressing the situation in the face of limited resources”.

Now, Cyngor Gwynedd is to review its council tax premiums, seeking a decision which could see a rise on long term empty homes from 100% to 150%.

Today, the council’s cabinet will be asked to recommend favoured options to the full council for council tax premium levels on second homes and long-term empty dwellings for 2026/27.