Welsh government introduces new tax rules for second homes

The Welsh government has announced an increase to the maximum level of council tax for second homes, as well as new local tax rules for holiday lets, to ensure local people can find affordable homes.

The maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties will be increased to 300% effective from April 2023.

The changes will enable councils to decide the level which is appropriate for their local circumstances, with the option to apply different premiums to second homes and long-term empty dwellings.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: ‘These changes will give more flexibility to local authorities and provide more support to local communities in addressing the negative impacts that second homes and long-term empty properties can have. They are some of the levers we have available to us as we seek to create a fairer system.

‘We will continue to make every effort to increase the supply and availability of houses, as shown by the £1bn of funding to build 20,000 low carbon social homes, contained in the budget I published at the end of last year.’

The measures are part of a wider commitment to address the issue of second homes and unaffordable housing, as set out in the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh government and Plaid Cymru.

Premiums are currently set at a maximum level of 100% and were paid on more than 23,000 properties in Wales this year.

The criteria for self-catering accommodation being liable for business rates instead of council tax will also change from next April.

Currently, properties that are available to let for at least 140 days, and that are actually let for at least 70 days, will pay rates rather than council tax. The change will increase these thresholds to being available to let for at least 252 days and actually let for at least 182 days in any 12-month period.

Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, added: ‘We want people to be able to live and work in their local communities. But we know rising house prices are putting them out of reach of many people, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis we are facing.

‘There is no easy answer or quick fix solution. This is a complex problem that requires a wide range of actions. We continue to carefully consider further measures that could be introduced, and these changes are the latest steps we are taking to increase the availability of homes and ensure a fair contribution is made.’

Photo by Beata Mitręga