Empty homes premium in Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea charged an empty homes premium at October 2025 on 1,411 long-term empty homes. Premium rates recorded by MHCLG:
| Empty for | Premium |
|---|---|
| 1–2 years | Not reported separately |
| 2–5 years | 100% |
| 5–10 years | 200% |
| 10 years + | 300% |
Holiday lets on business rates in Kensington and Chelsea
The 2026 business rates list has 15 self-catering holiday lets in Kensington and Chelsea, with a median rateable value of £125,000; 20% have a rateable value of £12,000 or less. A holiday let pays business rates instead of council tax if it was available to let for at least 140 nights and actually let for at least 70 nights in the last 12 months.
Exceptions you can apply for
The premium should not apply if the home falls in a national exception class, for example: an annexe (Class F), actively marketed for sale or let (Classes G and H, up to 12 months), recently granted probate (Class I, up to 12 months), a job-related home (Class J), or a seasonal home that planning rules stop being used as a main home (Class L). Apply to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea with evidence. All exception classes and rules.
If the property is let to a tenant as their main home, it is not a second home. For landlord duties in Kensington and Chelsea, see licensing in Kensington and Chelsea and the landlord database (your region: London, register by 14 October 2027).