There are only a few days left for landlords to have input to a government consultation on council tax hikes for second homes and empty properties.
The consultation centres on some elements of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, now going through parliament.
It proposes to give councils powers to levy council tax premium of 100 per cent on second homes, defined as those substantially furnished and with no permanent residents.
The bill also proposes new powers higher council tax on empty homes - dwellings “unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for a defined period”.
Currently, the maximum levels of possible council tax premium that can be applied is:
- 100 per cent for properties empty between 2-5 years;
- 200 per cent for properties empty between 5-10 years;
- 300 per cent for properties empty for 10+ years.
The Bill wants 100 per cent premiums to be levied on homes empty for only one year.
However there are plenty of exemptions proposed for the council tax premiums:
- The empty homes or second homes premiums should not apply to properties going under probate;
- The empty homes or second homes premiums should not apply to properties being actively marketed for sale or let;
- The empty homes premium should not apply to properties undergoing major repairs – however this is time limited to six months at most;
- The second homes premium should not apply to annexes which form part of, or are treated as part of, the main dwelling;
- The second homes premium should not apply to job-related dwellings;
- The second homes premium should not apply to occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings;
- The second homes premium should not apply to seasonal homes where year-round or permanent occupation is prohibited, or has been specified for use as holiday accommodation, or prevents occupancy as a person’s sole or main residence.
The consultation is here and is open until August 31.
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There is no point in contributing to the consultation. They have already decided to take control of people's second homes and their letting properties if they remain empty.
Conservatives will stay at home at the next election, and Labour voters will not.
Will that be the same consultation they have when the Department 0f mass Homelessness Rubber Stamps WHOLE Area selective Licences. And renters Reform Bill
😂 consulate they say 🤔🤔 do we believe this guff 🆘🆘
Politics of envy.
I bought my first holiday or second home when I was 29 and am now on my third. Each one was semi derelict and shunned by locals who now vociferously rail against second home owners despite grabbing their higher offers instead of selling to a local for a bit less.
We spent over 20 years buying and improving these three properties using money that others spent on fancy foreign holidays. Our kids didn't have passports until they were students as we couldn't afford foreign holidays as we prioritised our holiday homes.
I am not campaigning for additional taxes on fancy holidays despite global warming so why are others jealous of the benefits which my hard work and sacrifices have yielded over many years?
Local authorities coin it in already from my second home Council Tax payment as I don't use the schools, social work or services other than getting my bins emptied. I used to get a 50% discount on Council Tax to reflect how little I got for it but that was removed and now they want to double it out of pure jealousy!
100% right Robert!
Back in the day I would buy derelict houses, people would say I must be mad for buying them, then once renovated and rented out that all turned to pure envy and jealousy, that all made me laugh, how short sighted and stupid people can be
I have a holiday home in France and effectively pay double but that's only because France have reduced property taxes for people who are resident in France.
Everyone used to pay Taxe d'habitation and Taxe Fonciere. Second home owners still pay both while residents no longer pay Taxe d'habitation.
The services provided are far more extensive than in the UK. Grey waste and recycling are both collected weekly, there's a team of people looking after the town's floral displays, everything except asbestos can be taken to the local tip free of charge, we get a discount on the local swimming pool, etc.
Carn't ever see any of that ever happening in rip off Britain Jo
Andrew, same as that no use buying a property that looks ok, when we know it’s a gut out new Electrics, plumbing, CH, bathroom, kitchen etc and if solid solid walls an opportunity to insulate with polyurethane foam plasterboard. and skim or Dry-line inside.
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