Powers to raise second homes tax

Shropshire’s second home owners could soon be charged full council tax on second homes and any empty properties they own.

The move is the result of proposals announced by the Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, which could lead to Councils charging full council tax on second homes and empty homes.

Planning assistant at Balfours property professionals, Frank Whitley explains: “Councils could be given the power to charge full council tax on second homes and empty homes under proposals published by communities secretary Eric Pickles. Homeowners currently qualify for discounts of up to 50 per cent on second homes and up to 100 per cent on empty homes.”

The housing shortage in many rural areas of England has become so acute that such proposals are inevitable. Shropshire has a particularly high number of second homes and many property owners will be affected by the proposals if they go ahead. The measures are aimed to cut council tax charges and get empty properties back into use “It is no surprise that the measure is in draft form; however I have doubts whether it is realistic to expect the moves to result in a corresponding drop in Council tax bills. Neither is it clear how the proposals will contribute to providing more homes for local people’, he added.

Mr Whitley does not believe that the rented property sector should be affected. “The proposals are targeting those owners who otherwise would have wished their property to remain empty. Under the proposed changes, a vacant rented property would have to remain empty for at least two years before the new rules would apply”, he said.

 Frank Whitley BSc(Hons) DipLE MA MRTPI