A couple who have battled the IW Council policy of charging council tax on empty properties to new owners, while they are paying out thousands of pounds in refurbishment repairs, have achieved ‘a small success’, with a little help from the IW Observer.

As previously reported, Willow Cameron, 30, and her partner Hagen Samson, 30, bought their dilapidated property in Camp Road, Freshwater, in July after it had been left in probate and vacant for more than a year. It was in desperate need of major repairs, ranging from replacing rotten joists and floors to dealing with condemned windows and a back boiler.

However, they were stunned to discover they had been hit by a 100 per cent council tax premium, doubling their monthly payments from £234 to £474. Willow previously said: “While navigating the stresses of renovating, we were blindsided by a 100 per cent council tax premium slapped on us by the Isle of Wight Council, doubling our monthly council tax from £234 to £474. To say we were shocked was an understatement.”

The couple were then visited by an IW Council official in a bid to get their tax bill reduced, but, initially to no avail, failing short of a points system on how much furniture is actually in the property.

Willow explained: “When the officer visited our property, he spent only a few minutes walking through the house, without asking any questions.

“He briefly looked into each room, but didn’t seem to pay close attention. It was frustrating to hear that much of the furniture present during his visit wasn’t mentioned in his report. All the items in the house now are the same ones that were here for the visitation, which makes me wonder why we are still falling short of some point system.

“We were caught in a very difficult position. It was clear that the house is undergoing significant repairs, which my partner, Hagen, is carrying out himself, while I am living here to meet the occupancy requirements.

“The house is far from comfortable, and I wouldn’t be staying here if we had any other option. Filling the house with unnecessary furniture just to meet a technicality of being ‘furnished’ would be counterproductive, given that we are in the middle of a long renovation process.”

The IW Observer got involved again this week and a Council spokesman confirmed yesterday (Thursday):

“Whilst the council does not discuss individual cases, we can confirm we have worked with the property owners to resolve the situation.”

However, we can reveal the council has now removed the premium and is classing it as a second home.

This means the couple do not have to pay a premium, until new legislation comes into place in April 2025 regarding taxation on second homes. By then, they hope, they will have moved in permanently.

Willow added: “It’s a small success. Thank you, IW Observer, for taking up our case and for your support; you’ve been a real help.”