The government will grant local authorities powers to double council tax on unoccupied homes as data revealed over 2,000 are empty in Watford.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that there are 2,135 empty homes in Watford out of a total of 41,410, meaning 5.2 per cent were left unoccupied, according to the 2021 Census.

Central Watford stood alone with the most unoccupied homes at 525 out of 5,495, or almost 10 per cent.

Meanwhile Leggatts, Stanborough and Cassiobury had the highest occupancy rate in the town, with just 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 per cent of homes left vacant.

It comes as from April 1 councils will be able to charge double the standard council tax rate on second homes or properties left that have been empty for at least a year.

Local authorities will be able to spend the extra cash raised by the 100 per cent premium in the next financial year from 2025-26.

Watford Borough Council currently charges double council tax for properties left empty for two years, and an additional 300 per cent on homes that have been vacant for more than 10 years.

It says it levies this premium to help "bring empty houses back into use as homes for the people of Watford".

The government has announced that homes inherited from the death of a family member will be excluded for up to a year, and properties that are uninhabitable due to extensive renovation will be exempt.

A spokesperson for Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the "crackdown" on empty properties would "bring in millions more for public services or keeping overall council tax bills down".

Minister for Local Government Simon Hoare added: “Long term empty properties are shutting local families and young people out of the housing market as they are being denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community. 

“So, we are taking action as part of our long-term plan for housing. That means delivering more of the right homes in the right places and giving councils more powers to help give local people the homes they need.”