Westminster Council in London is tackling an increase in homeowners attempting to evade double council tax payments due to new rules. From April 1, properties unoccupied for over a year incur a 100% tax increase, with even steeper rates for longer vacancies. Council leader Adam Hug noted a rise in misreporting by owners. The council estimates at least 11,000 properties remain unaccounted for. They are collaborating with the National Fraud Initiative and seeking to amend laws for fairer tax based on property value rather than council tax band.
'We have found a significant increase in owners trying to evade the additional costs by reporting the property as either not empty, not a second home, or - most commonly - claiming a single person discount.'
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