Second homes for sale treble after council tax hike
by Gareth Pennant
September 6, 2024
"New rules were introduced by the #Welsh government with the aim of making it easier for people to afford homes in the area where they grew up.
"To help achieve this, powers were given to local authorities to charge a premium of up to 300% on top of the normal council tax rate for those who own a #SecondHome in #Wales.
"It has become a thorny issue, especially in coastal areas and beauty spots along the west coast.
"Cyngor Gwynedd has long been accused of 'playing Russian roulette' by holiday home owners and tourism boards after it imposed a 250% premium on council tax for these properties.
"Earlier this year, it went a step further and announced plans for any new second homes to be subject to planning consent, with these rules coming into force on 1 September.
"It argued that the area faced a 'huge #HousingCrisis', with many young people backing the move, saying #wealthy second home owners were pricing them out of the market."
Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyl52jz73vo
#IncomeInequity #AffordableHousing #SecondHomes #TaxTheRich