MORE than 3,000 people in Ceredigion and north Pembrokeshire could be paying the increased council tax premiums for empty homes.

Recently, Ceredigion County Council revealed that from April 1, 2024, the amount of premium paid by owners of homes in the county that are classed as long-term empty properties will be increasing. Currently it is at 25 per cent, but from April 1, it will be a 100 per cent premium for properties empty for up to and including five years.

It will be increased to 150 per cent for properties empty for more than five years but up to and including 10 years and a 200 per cent premium for properties that have been empty for more than 10 years.

Data from the 2021 Census showed how many homes were empty across the county and it has been broken down into localised areas.

In Aberaeron and Llanrhystud, the Census showed that out of a total of 3,780 properties, 550 were classed as empty dwellings.

In New Quay and Penbryn, 1,125 properties were classed as empty dwellings out of a total of 3,980, whilst there were 495 properties empty in Lampeter and Llanfihangel Ystrad out of a total of 3,835.

There were 715 empty properties in Cardigan and Aberporth out of a total of 4,895 and 480 out of 3,865 properties in Beulah, Troed-yr-aur and Llandysul.

The council also confirmed that it would be increasing the council tax premium for second homes to 100 per cent from April 1, 2024, and that it would increase again to 150 per cent from April 1, 2025.

The 2021 Census also showed the percentage of homes that were registered as second homes for each area.

In Aberaeron and Llanrhystud, 1.98 per cent of homes were classed as second homes. In New Quay and Penbryn it rises to 5.78 per cent. In Lampeter and Llanfihangel Ystrad it is just 0.65 per cent, whilst Aberporth and Cardigan has 2.04 per cent of second homes. In Beulah, Troed-yr-aur and Llandysul the figure stands at 0.91.

Pembrokeshire County Council also confirmed that it will be raising its council tax premium for long-term empty homes. This will see a standard 100 per cent council tax rate but an extra 100 per cent premium for homes empty for two or more years. The premium will be 200 per cent for properties empty for three or more years and a 300 per cent premium for properties empty for four or more years.

In north Pembrokeshire, 690 of the 4,330 homes in Cilgerran and Crymych were classed as empty, with 1,030 of the 5,475 homes in Fishguard classed as empty. 300 of the 3,345 homes in the Crundale, Maenclochog and Clynderwen areas were also classed as empty.

Pembrokeshire County Council also confirmed that it would be imposing a 200 per cent council tax premium for second homes from April 1, 2024. This is on top of the 100 per cent standard rate.

In north Pembrokeshire, 2.54 per cent of homes were classed as second homes according to the 2021 Census. In Fishguard, the figure came in at 4.02 per cent, whilst Crundale, Clynderwen and Maenclochog’s figures coming in at 1.05 per cent.

In Carmarthenshire, Trelech, Cenarth and Llangeler had 460 empty properties out of a total of 3,780 and a 1.06 per centage for second homes.