Changes to discounts on council tax should encourage owners of empty property to bring it back into use by selling or letting, according to a county lettings manager.
Gill Critchson, who is lettings area manager at The Property Centre and covers Stroud and Gloucester, said next month's changes should encourage owners to re-assess their situation.
Owners of empty houses and second homes are set to pay more council tax from April 1.
Empty properties are currently fully exempt from the tax for up to six months. The exemption will be replaced by a 100 per cent discount for the first month a property is empty, then a 25 per cent discount for a maximum of five months. After this a full charge will be payable.
The current council tax discount on a second home is 10 per cent. After the changes there will be no discount, all second homes will be charged the full council tax.