Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 05:58am on 23 Mar 2025,Sunday International
Starting April, approximately 75% of English councils will implement a 100% council tax premium on second homes, effectively doubling the tax on these properties. This measure aims to address housing shortages and generate an estimated £445 million in additional revenue. While areas like Cornwall, Torbay, Norfolk, and Somerset are adopting this tax, urban regions such as Rochdale, Bristol, and several London boroughs, including Wandsworth, Camden, and Hackney, are also participating. Critics, like the TaxPayers' Alliance, label the move a "naked cash grab," arguing that second homeowners use fewer local services and thus should not face higher taxes. Conversely, housing advocates believe the premium is a positive step but insufficient alone to resolve the housing crisis. In Cornwall, where second homeownership is prevalent, some residents feel that merely doubling the tax won't deter second home purchases, suggesting more robust measures are necessary. (PC: iStock)
