Another council may be considering a tax on guests staying at Airbnb or other short let properties.

North Norfolk council, which covers popular tourist and second home areas, and its leader Tim Adams – a Liberal Democrat – is quoted in the local press as saying that the authority will investigate possible income from short let guests. 

Adams is quoted in the Eastern Daily Press as saying: “What we were looking at was a consideration of this matter and we certainly have not yet carried out that work. There is no primary legislation that enables us to do that as there is in other such locations – Paris being notable.

“But what we would consider is a small levy on bookings at Airbnbs and holiday lets. At this stage, we are certainly not considering levies on taxis, restaurants and other such businesses.” 

Adams – who has previously mooted a £1 per night tax on Airbnb guests – says: “Holiday lets and Airbnbs, and we’ve got a significant number of them, are not paying towards local council services.” 

Yesterday we reported that Labour controlled Westminster council in London was considering a similar proposal.