FOI003691 FOI Council Tax

Short Description
Long term empty dwellings
Reference number
FOI003691
Date
08/10/2026
Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I request the following regarding residential dwellings in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead recorded as long-term empty (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) for Council Tax purposes:
1.    A list of all dwellings that have been empty for two years or more, including for each: the full address; the date from which the property has been recorded as empty (or the duration band); the Council Tax band; and whether a long-term empty premium is currently being charged.
2.    If the full list cannot be provided at address level, please instead provide the same information at street level (street name and postcode sector, with a count of qualifying dwellings per street).
3.    The total number of dwellings currently classed as long-term empty (2+ years), and of those, the number empty for 5+ years and 10+ years.
4.    Whether the council operates an empty homes strategy, empty dwelling management orders, or any scheme through which interested purchasers can be connected with owners of long-term empty properties — and if so, the relevant contact details.
I am aware that some authorities have withheld full addresses under s.31 or s.40 FOIA. I would note that authorities including Lambeth and Hillingdon have previously disclosed this information at address level, that the information concerns properties rather than identifiable individuals in the majority of cases, and that there is a clear public interest in returning long-term empty dwellings to residential use. If you conclude that exemptions apply to any part of this request, please apply them only to that part and provide the remainder, in line with your section 16 duty to advise and assist.
I would prefer to receive the response electronically, in CSV or Excel format where the data is tabular.