AN ANGRY mum forced out of her home is being made to pay 75% of her council tax – even though the house has been uninhabitable for almost a year.

The fuming taxpayer, who asked not to be named, had to move out in June 2008 after floodwater caused £150,000 worth of damage.

Vale Royal Borough Council used to give her a 50% discount on the Band B Winsford property.

But the new Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has implemented a 25% rise on empty homes – leaving the woman nearly £300 out of pocket.

Instead of saving almost £570 in the next financial year the homeowner will only pay £284 less than she would have to if she was living in the property.

A letter to the complainant from CWaC said: “It has been agreed by the new authority that the level of discount on such properties will reduce to 25%.

“Please accept my apologies for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.”

A CWaC spokeswoman said: “The 75% charge was decided because it provides an incentive for the owner to bring empty property back into use.”

The married mum-of-two, 50, is staying with friends in Crewe.

On top of the council tax she is paying on her ‘gutted’ home, she is also shelling out for storage for her property and receiving just a ‘small’ financial contribution from her insurance company for the extra living costs incurred.

“I haven’t worked for 18 months because I’ve had a triple heart bypass, but I’m not on benefits,” she said.

“It’s scandalous they’ve introduced this hike. Everyone is struggling for money and this certainly isn’t helping anyone – except the council of course.”