CEREDIGION council is asking residents to have their say on charging a premium tax on long-term empty and second homes.

The council has the ability to charge a premium of up to 100% on top of the existing council tax payments for second and long-term empty homes from the 2017-18 financial year, as a result of changes to the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

Councillor Dafydd Edwards, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Financial Services explains: “There are currently 869 empty homes in Ceredigion that have been empty for six months or more, and 2018 second homes.

"The council doesn’t offer a discount to second home owners at present.

"The consultation exercise is to gain the feeling of residents on an increase to the rates on these properties.”

For more information and to have your say on the possible changes to premiums, visit: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/consultations

The closing date for responses is Wednesday, 2 March 2016. The decision on whether to charge a premium will be considered at a council meeting on 24 March.