PEOPLE who own second homes in York which are left empty will have to pay double the council tax paid by residents.

Under new plans agreed by the City of York Council’s executive last week, the proposals will apply to owners of empty homes which have been unoccupied for two years or more.

There are estimated to be 350 empty second homes in the city. According to a report which went before the council's executive, the intention is to bring second properties into use rather than increasing tax revenue.

The proposals mean a second home owner with a long-term empty Band D property in the city would pay £3,180 a year in council tax under the 2018/19 rates, in comparison to residents who pay £1,590.

The 200 per cent council tax rate does not apply to homes that are rented out to tenants or to houses that are rented out as student properties, with full-time students exempt from paying council tax.

Homes left empty because the owners have been taken into care may also be exempt from council tax.