The issue of charging second home owners twice as much council tax as permanent residents will return to the Cabinet and Full Council meetings in February 2024.
Although a decision was made last March last year, the plans required a change in the law before they could be enforced.
That change has now taken place, meaning the plans to charge a premium of 100 per cent council tax charge on any second home can be pushed through, as well as charging the same premium to owners of properties that are left empty or unfurnished for more than a year.
£6m extra income
Last year there were 135 empty properties and 2,787 second homes. If the plans are introduced, it could mean an extra £6 million in the council’s coffers.
Council papers for the item explain that the new Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will permit the council tax changes:
New Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 has given local authorities the power to implement a premium of up to 100 per cent council tax charge on any property empty or unfurnished for over 1 year. It also gives the power to implement a premium of up to 100 per cent council tax charge on any second home from the following financial year.
Decision to be made as to whether the council wishes to implement such premium.
