CHANGES to a council tax discount scheme in Darlington could see landlords out of pocket, but may help fill empty homes in the town.

Darlington Council’s cabinet approved plans this evening (November 6) to reduce the length of time that homeowners can claim council tax discounts on empty homes.

The changes could raise an extra £607,000 for the authority in the first year and will come into effect in April 2013.

Owners of unfurnished empty properties, second homes and unoccupied houses that are undergoing major repair work will all see reductions in the amount of council tax discount they are entitled to.

The council has also been given powers by the Government to levy a 50 per cent ‘empty homes premium’ on the council tax payable for unfurnished homes left empty for two years or more.

There are currently 175 properties which fall into that category in Darlington  - 26 of which have been empty for more than eight years - and it is hoped that the introduction of the 50 per cent premium will encourage more owners to bring those homes into use.

Coun Heather Scott welcomed the changes, saying: “If we can bring these properties back into use that would help young people and those looking for homes - that can be a positive.

“I suppose it depends on the condition of these properties but hopefully that could be a positive thing.”

Council leader Coun Bill Dixon agreed, saying: “Living next door to a property that has been empty for ten years plus must be a nightmare.”

The move will see the current 12-month council tax exemption applied to empty homes undergoing major repair work reduced to three-months.

Unoccupied furnished houses – classed as second homes - will lose their ten per cent tax discount, while the six-month discount currently given to unfurnished empty homes will be reduced to just one-month.

In his report detailing the proposed changes, cabinet member Coun Stephen Harker said the groups most affected by the changes will be private and social landlords whose properties are empty between tenants, second home owners, property developers and property owners who are struggling to sell their homes.