You will have to pay the full Council Tax:

  • Where homes are empty and have little furniture, Portsmouth City Council will not give any discount.
  • If a home is empty and has little furniture, and needs big repairs to be liveable, there will be no discount.

If a home is empty and is substantially unfurnished furniture for a year or more, Portsmouth City Council will charge the highest extra fee on top of the full Council Tax. The level of premium from the financial year beginning 1 April 2025 is:

  • The extra charge is 100% for homes that have been empty and mostly without furniture for at least one year but less than five years.
  • The extra charge is 200% for homes that have been empty and mostly without furniture for at least five years but less than ten years.
  • The extra charge is 300% for homes that have been empty and mostly without furniture for at least ten years.

Sometimes, the extra charge for long-term empty homes will not be added.

Read our policy for second homes and long-term empty properties and discounts.