The Esch-sur-Alzette municipal council has approved the implementation of a new tax on empty properties or unused land. With the exception of the ADR, all parties on the council voted in favour of the new regulation on Friday morning.
This is not the first time the council has voted on such a tax. It was originally approved in 2012, but was not implemented. An estimated 8-9% of the country's second-largest city's living space is currently unused, or around 1,500 potential homes. The new tax regulation will encourage responsibility and mobilisation, CSV mayor Christian Weis told the council meeting.
"Such a tax will be levied from the moment a dwelling or living space or building plot has not been used for more than 18 months. This means that living space, flats and houses are affected, which according to our Esch regulations are to be used for housing, where no person has been registered here for more than 18 months and no second residence is known."
The tax will be 50 euros per square metre in the first year, 70 euros in the second year, rising to a maximum of 100 euros in the third year and for all subsequent years. The tax will come into effect 18 months after approval by the Ministry of the Interior.
