He added that there was “evidence from other councils that raising the premium by more than 100% is effective” in reducing the number of empty homes.
However, critics say high council tax premiums do not make homes affordable, and more new houses are needed.
Estate agent Dafydd Hardy said putting high taxes on holiday homes which local people could not afford, did not necessarily work, and it would be the “same for empty houses”.
He added that building more houses where there is demand for them would better ease the problem.
Rowlinson said action is needed and that “some” of the money raised through premiums was helping to build more homes.
“There are over 4,000 people on a list for a home in the county,” said Rowlinson.
“Around 20 people present to us as homeless every week and it is very important that we see houses as a resource for people to live in rather than as an investment or a way of making money.”
