INCREASES to council tax charged on empty properties are expected to be approved for the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council next week.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the shadow authority, councillors will be asked to approve rises which will, by April 2021, see a 300 per cent premium placed on homes which have been unoccupied for at least 10 years.

Currently, the three authorities charge 50 per cent extra council tax on empty houses but a proposal has been put to councillors to increase this, following changes to government legislation.

Under plans which have been recommended to the shadow authority, this would rise to 100 per cent from April with further increases the following two years.

On April 2020, homes which have been unoccupied for at least five years will have to pay a 200 per cent premium and the following year a 300 per cent charge on homes left empty for at least 10 years would be brought in.