Dorset council is the latest to agree a policy to double the council tax on second homes and to implement an empty home surcharge a year earlier.
However, for the council to be able to implement its new policies, legislation will also have to be approved by Parliament.
The Dorset Live website quotes deputy council leader Peter Wharf saying: “This is not a penalty. It’s a privilege to have a second home and this will be a relatively small charge for that privilege.
“This is a strong statement of intent to our residents, some of which are struggling to access housing.”
Dorset council estimates the additional charge will bring in some £9.5m annually from around 5,700 second homes in the county, although it concedes some may switch to short lets and become businesses, thus avoiding council tax.
Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.
Dorset councillors have approved proposals for a council tax premium on...
Private renting has more than doubled over the past 20 years,...
One of the country’s second home and holiday let hotspots has...
Plans to impose a premium on council tax for for second...
The vast majority of tenants are unaware of new laws introduced...
Despite the recent tax crackdown, buy-to-let continues to look an attractive...
The property market had enjoyed a boost thanks to the outcome...
There wasn’t much by way of good news in the Spring...
Twenty twenty-four is a pivotal year for landlords in the Private...
National Landlord Investment Show has announced that the former Leader of...
The management of BTL properties, whether it's a modest collection of...
We are thrilled to report that the first National Landlord Investment...
If interest rate rises weren’t enough to drive landlords out the...
Landlords play a crucial role in providing safe and comfortable housing...
.jpg)
Calling all landlords, Investors and property professionals: National Landlord Investment Show...
In the buy to let market, success goes beyond the transaction...
A recent survey by digital mortgage lender, Molo, revealed that nearly...
Mohammed Sharaz, a landlord from Bradford, recently seized an opportunity to...
We believe a well-functioning housing system is one that meets everyone’s...
It’s not just the weather that’s wet and dreary – the...
As the ‘big buy-to-let’ sell off gathers momentum, we take a...
The challenges facing the property market right now are well reported;...
If you are a landlord looking for the silver lining in...
This year is set to bring sweeping rental reforms that will...
Landlords are exiting the market in droves. According to an accountancy firm...
%20(002).png)
Newable Finance, the finance brokerage & advisory arm of Newable, launches...
As landlords continue to exit the market, there seems to be...
Homes in the rental sector are more likely to have old...
A council has prosecuted a landlord for letting out two HMOs...
The Labour-led government in Wales has issued a consultation proposing the...
Another council is looking for landlords with rental properties to match...
Another council is looking for landlords with rental properties to match...
.png)
Landlords and renters’ activists are at either end of the spectrum...
A prominent lettings sector expert is blaming the media for anti-landlord...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Who are you, and what does it say on...
Who are you? I am the Head of Broking for...
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
A lot of the second homes in Dorset are very expensive properties, making them pay more will not make the owners rent them out so local people can "access housing" purely a cash grab for the council who are desperate for money.
John
It's probably to pay for the home office dispersal programme!
More and more pocket picking. Fagin in a new era.
QUESTION: Why can someone live in a £10 million property and pay much less Council Tax than someone with 2 £300,000 properties - and avoid CGT on selling?
ANSWER: Many Tory MP's and donors live in £10 million properties.
This needs to stop. The primary purpose of Council Tax is to génerate revenue to pay towards (but not completely) council services based on services used. It should not be misused as a punishment for those of us that have the drive and determination to build generational wealth or boost pensions.
Does a holiday home, Airbnb or private rented property use more council services?
It's a cash grab pure and simple but then national and local government know that it's unlikely that this would be challenged in a court and sending an email to your MP would likely fall on deaf ears.
Please login to comment