OWNERS of empty homes could be forced to pay full council tax on the properties in a Tees borough.

Stockton council is to consult the public on the idea as it is likely new Government legislation will make charging full council tax for empty houses possible from next year.

The authority says that charging the money would boost council funds and encourage owners to put more effort into selling or letting derelict property.

Government legislation will almost certainly allow councils to change the level of council tax discounts and exemptions on empty properties and second homes from next year.

A Stockton council spokeswoman said empty houses have a financial impact on the local area and can be targeted for vandalism making it harder to sell or let the properties. She also said empty properties can also be a cost to the council and the emergency services.

The Council is asking for residents to give their views on ending the council tax exemption for homes which are empty for less than six months, ending the 50 per cent discount for dwellings which are empty for more than six months and introducing an additional 50 per cent council tax charge for homes which have been empty for over two years.

The proposals have been criticised by the Residential Lettings Association (RLA).

Richard Jones, policy director of the RLA, told The Northern Echo it would mean that the council would no longer be able to identify which properties are empty and which are not.

He said: “Properties are not usually empty without a good reason and those reasons can be complex. Stockton Council would be better getting in there and talking to owners about why there’s a problem in the first place.”