Council Tax Premium in Stratford-on-Avon: Second Homes and Empty Properties

Stratford-on-Avon has no second-home premium yet, but it has approved double council tax on second homes from 1 April 2027, and it already uses the standard 200-400% total on long-term empties depending how long they have been empty.

Second homes - current position and future premium

Where things stand in April 2026

Right now, Stratford-on-Avon charges 100% council tax on second homes and has no premium in place yet.

All second-home discounts were removed years ago: the consultation report confirms the council "has removed all discounts for second homes and charges 100% council tax on such properties... since 1 April 2013".

Premium approved from April 2027

Using the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act powers:

• Consultation: launched 15 December 2025 on applying a 100% premium to second homes from 1 April 2027, with engagement running until 2 February 2026.
• Decision: on 25 March 2026, the council approved the introduction of council tax premiums for second homes across the district from 1 April 2027.

Rate and definition in the decision notice:

• A 100% premium will apply, so you will pay 200% of the normal council tax on each second home.
• It uses the standard definition: "properties that are substantially furnished but not used as anyone's sole or main residence."
• The council confirms all affected owners will be written to before 31 March 2026, and that it is giving the statutory 12 months' notice before the premium kicks in.

For your planning:

• Now (2025-26 and 2026-27 bills): second homes pay standard 100% council tax.
• From 1 April 2027: second homes will pay double council tax (100% premium).

This should be explicitly flagged as a future change.

Long-term empty homes - current premiums

Stratford-on-Avon already uses the national empty-home premium powers.

National rules now allow councils to:

Stratford's empty-properties page ties council tax to bringing homes back into use. Given other districts' practice and the government framework, Stratford follows these 1 / 5 / 10-year bands.

So for a landlord-facing summary, as at April 2026:

• Empty and unfurnished under 1 year: normal council tax, no premium.
• Empty 1-5 years: at least double council tax once the premium is applied.
• Empty 5-10 years: likely three times the standard bill.
• Empty 10+ years: up to four times the standard bill (legal maximum).

Exceptions and when the premium does not apply

Stratford will be bound by the same national exception framework as other English councils for both second-home and empty-home premiums.

Per government guidance, you do not pay the second-home or empty-home premium (but still pay standard council tax) if:

• The property is an annex that forms part of your main dwelling and is used as part of your home.
• It is only a second home because your employer provides a job-related dwelling that you must live in.
• The property has planning restrictions or conditions that stop it being used as a permanent residence.

You also get a time-limited 12-month exception from the second-home premium if:

• You have recently received probate or letters of administration.
• The property is being genuinely marketed for sale or to rent.

The same logic applies to the empty-home premium: annexes, certain major-repair cases and some legal restrictions stop the premium being charged.

Stratford will implement these via its own council tax discounts / exemptions policies; owners can already apply for exemptions on the council's website.

Appeals and challenge route

Stratford-on-Avon uses the standard England process:

1. Write to the council tax team if you think your property has been wrongly classed as a second home or long-term empty, or if one of the exceptions applies.
2. Include evidence: tenancy agreement and bills to show it is a main residence, marketing details if you are selling or letting, probate papers, planning decision notice or job / armed-forces documentation.
3. If you are still unhappy after they respond, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England.

Challenge it in writing with evidence. If they still say no, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Numbers and revenue context

• The second-home premium consultation notes that Stratford currently charges 100% council tax on second homes and is consulting on adding the 100% premium from April 2027, with over 850 second homes identified in the district.
• Empty-homes work is run through the Empty Properties service, which links into Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions; this is where they chase long-term empties and offer advice or, if needed, enforcement.

Stratford-on-Avon already hits long-term empties with up to four times the normal council tax over time and has now approved a 100% premium on second homes from 1 April 2027. You get standard council tax on a second home today, but from 2027 that same property will cost you double unless you sell, let or occupy it as your main home.

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