Response 3906200

Response to request for information

Reference

3906200

Response date

17 March 2026

Request

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please provide the following information for the most recent period available:

1. A list of residential properties currently subject to a Council Tax Empty Homes Premium 
2. The address of each property, including postcode
3. The date the premium was first applied to each property
4. The level of premium applied (for example 100%, 200%, or 300%)

This request is for property address data only and does not seek any personal data relating to any individual or council taxpayer. The requested information pertains solely to the tax status of a property.

Response

I am unable to release the information requested as the information is exempt from disclosure by virtue of section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  

Section 31(1)(a) states that the information is exempt if its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. The Council has considered the arguments for and against disclosure and has applied the Public interest Test.  

The Council's decision is that it would not be in the public interest to disclose information about empty properties as it would be likely to result in criminal activities such as squatting, theft and vandalism.

In refusing your request the Council relies on the Information Tribunal's decision (Case No.EA/2011/0007) dated 22 January 2013 where it was found that the London Borough of Camden was entitled to refuse a request for information about empty properties because the section 31(1)(a) exemption "was engaged and the public interest in  maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing  it". The Council also relies on  London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea case where the Information Commissioner considered the London Borough of Camden case and came to the decision that "the council acted appropriately by refusing to disclose the requested information under section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act"