Second-home tax premiums flop one year on
Source: telegraph.co.uk
- One year after councils gained powers to charge 100% council tax premiums on second homes, revenue has fallen short of expectations.
- Only 21% of councils have imposed the maximum premium, with many opting for lower rates or delays.
- Homeowners face uncertainty as more councils plan hikes, potentially adding thousands to annual bills.
The article marks the first anniversary of new rules letting councils slap extra council tax on second homes to tackle the housing crisis. It examines how few authorities have used the full powers, why uptake is low, and what this means for second-home owners. Councils, homeowners, and local residents are all affected, with the core finding that the policy hasn't generated the predicted windfall. Readers with property interests need to know because tax bills could rise sharply soon.