change of council policy re void periods and council tax

Campaigning and Policy

Hi
I dont know if anyone has come across this before but stoke on trent city council has changed its policy regarding payment of council tax on empty properties. whereas before the landlord was given 6 months with no tax due to find a new tenant. the new rule is one month.Their reasoning is that if the tenant gives one months notice, that will give the landlord 2 months to find a new tenant. which in their opinion is adequate. This announcement was followed a short time late by a story in the local paper, that the average council house was empty for 8 months between tenancies! so its obvious to me that this is just another way of getting money out of the landlord. 2 months is not enough to find and check out a prospective tenant, even if your existing tenant is willing to show the applicants round. Why isnt anyone fighting this decision and what can be done?