A local authority that’s doubling council tax on second home owners claims the hike is not a penalty.

North Devon council is reminding residents with second homes that from next April they will be charged a 100% premium, twice the standard rate. 

The council has sent letters to the 2,246 affected properties to remind home owners of the upcoming changes.

The Conservative government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 provided councils with the power to charge a premium in respect of second homes. North Devon council agreed the premium on second homes in February 2023 to provide the 12 months notice required by the legislation. That decision was reconfirmed at a meeting in January this year.

For the purposes of council tax, second homes are properties that are furnished but no one’s main residence. The double fee will be shared between the major precepting authorities in line with their share of the council tax.

A council spokesperson claims: “This premium is not being put in place to penalise second home owners.  We hope by increasing council tax on second homes we can encourage individuals to release the home back onto the property market.

“In North Devon we see many families forced to leave the area due to a lack of available housing. This measure is part of an overall ambition to increase the overall supply of housing in the area. Alternatively, we would encourage second home owners to make North Devon their sole residence and become a closer part of our beautiful community.

“North Devon Council has committed to allocating the additional revenue raised by this premium directly into housing projects such as the provision of temporary accommodation for local families.”

The council’s Empty Homes Project allows owners of empty homes to rent out their property through the council’s Private Sector Lease Scheme.