Powers allowing Pembrokeshire Council to force the sale of problem long-term empty properties will – if backed – only be used as a last resort, councillors have heard.

Long-term empty properties in Pembrokeshire are currently charged a premium council tax rate of 300 per cent for those empty for more than two years, effectively a quadruple tax bill.

A report for members on a draft empty properties strategy of 2025-30, presented by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman, was heard at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 18.

It said, as of June, there were 469 homes which had been empty for six to 12 months and 322 empty for one to two years, with 505 properties empty for above two years and paying the empty property premium.

It said the strategy for scrutiny was an important strategic shift from a previous Cabinet agreed action plan as it introduced “the inclusion of an enforced sales procedure as a formal intervention tool when circumstances require”.

Members heard such a sale would only be considered if a long list of criteria had been met.

The report stressed: “It is important to stress that this procedure is likely to be rarely used and only in cases where there is no other option but necessary due the extend of works that the council has had to undertake to make improvements to the property. The main focus will always be that of informal and supportive action with property owners.”

“Long-term, often problematic empty properties are considered a waste of a valuable resource which could be added to the pool of much-needed housing in the county. They can also frequently become blights to neighbourhoods by becoming targets for antisocial behaviour, trespass, vandalism and arson.

“In addition to this they can become eyesores which devalue nearby properties, become sources of harbourage for vermin infestations, and can also become significant drains on the resources of the county council, police, and fire and rescue services.

“Every effort is made to engage with owner, however, it is often the case that they are unwilling or unable to undertake the necessary work and therefore enforcement action may be considered.”

Cllr Bateman stressed the enforced acquisition would be used to pursue those who hadn’t paid the council tax premium but could be used in certain cases like when safety work had to be undertaken by the council and the owners wouldn’t pay.

Cllr Jacob Williams county councillor for the ward of East Williamston said: “I don’t want to be a member of a council that sees an empty property in reasonable condition and the council comes along and enforces a sale. This is about works to a property that’s a danger to the public or a meeting place for troublemaking.”

He added: “This isn’t about the council seeing an empty property and wanting to enforce a sale; there’s a lot of steps to be taken before the council can enforce a sale.”

County councillor for Tenby’s north ward, Cllr Michael Williams welcomed the strengthening of the previous “toothless” approach, with one “blight on the landscape” empty property in Tenby, where “the owner does not seem to want to engage with the Authority” having a “devastating effect on neighbours”.

Members backed the recommendation the draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 and Enforced Sales procedure be put forward to Cabinet for its adoption.