Paying extortionate council tax on second home?

[NotaTorie]

I know how that sounds, but I am a HARD WORKING police officer with a second home in Wales (I live in England).

My council tax has just SHOT UP on my second home. This just doesn't feel fair at all. I contribute. I work so so hard. I don't think its very fair at all.

Are any of you in this position? After not even being able to travel down during covid this feels like such a kick in the teeth.

I may get shot for this but never understood people who buy holiday homes for them to just sit empty most of the time (which alot of them are) really quite sad when you think that it could be a cherished home to somebody all year round.

I agree with the higher tax on second homes.

I'll see yours and raise you this one.

Couldn't you work more hours or get a better paid job if you're feeling the pinch..like the government suggests.

We have a housing crisis, UK wide. Many people, myself included, in spite of working very hard, are stuck renting from terrible landlords, with little hope of ever buying. So, I'd go so far as to say, that it's not moral to even own a second home. Wait till everyone has at least one home first.

It must be HARD, OP. Maybe you should sell and free up the house for someone else.

World's smallest violin for you.

My ds lives and works in Wales. It’s really difficult for people to afford homes along the Llyn Peninsula because of second home owners. I believe Wales are going to triple council tax for second homes and quite right too.

No sympathy here. Personally, I think council tax on second homes should be doubled and then increased for every additional home.

If I were in power I'd impose punitive taxes on additional properties. Owning multiple properties is an absolute luxury and reduces housing stock exacerbating poverty.

It is you're, which is short for you are.

Personally I think second homes SHOULD have higher council tax, at least 2 x the same band as a home that is occupied all year.

Second homes should be heavily taxed. A second home is an unnecessary luxury. No one needs a ‘spare home’. If you can’t afford the council tax then you can’t afford to have a second home.

Just Googled...

Good for Wales!
Second homes there have had CT increased by up to 300% to help keep properties buyable for local people who might want to live there full time.

Welsh people aren't massively tolerant of English people buying up the prettier properties only to leave them empty for most of the year.

{I'm English, by the way}
But I have real sympathy for the Welsh who might actually want to live there.

gov.wales/new-tax-rules-second-homes

Brilliant move from the Welsh government.

The same rules should be applied to homes bought as Air bnb investments.

It's because of people like you that my children can't afford to live in the place where they grew up and now work. I've lived and worked in N Wales for 30 years and the % of second home owners has shot up in the last few years
I'm fed up of people buying second homes in our area and then leaving them unoccupied for majority of the year.... our communities are being decimated , schools and local shops are closing because there's no population around to sustain them out of holiday season
by all means visit the area and support the local community but don't price us out of existence or there will be no communities left

No, I am not sympathetic. I can't live in the county where I was born because of people who have second homes that they visit a few times a year . I'd like to live permanently near my family, but sadly we have been scattered to the winds. I don't visit my parents' grave because it's a trek to get to it. I don't see my family on a daily basis, which would have been nice during the pandemic . I could at least have known they were nearby. So, no, I'm not crying for you. BTW, lots of people work hard and end up with bugger all, not even 1 home. Stop whining.

This MUST be a troll. Or an idiot.

I think anyone with a second home should have to pay 300% council tax on it.
I live in Wales and have friends and workmates who can't afford to buy a home at all and are desperate to stay in their home communities (which is a strong theme here).
I'm contributing to the problem somewhat myself as I'm English and moved here with a bigger budget than local wages would allow. But at least I own one home only, have thrown myself into the local community and now work for a Welsh employer.
Sorry, no sympathy.

OP could you work more hours or find a better paying job to pay the increase?

I'm aware it can be up to 300% in Wales now, but understand not all local authorities are setting it that high, but the same rule should extend to England too to restore some balance in places like Cornwall.

If you want a holiday home, sell your Welsh one and buy in Spain.

1. It's cheaper.
2. The weather's a lot better.
3. They are mown out with excess holiday properties built during the boom, and you won't be depriving anyone of a home.
4. The cost of living, including council tax, is a lot lower.

Sorted 😊

No sympathy I’m afraid. Sell it if it’s unaffordable 🤷‍♀️

Gwynedd have done this because 2nd hone owners are pricing locals out of their own areas. You hardly contribute to the community if its a 2nd home. As someone who lives and works in Wales I totally agree with what they've done sorry.

Someone was clearly bored last night and went out there way to wind people up

Yabu. Good. Maybe you sell it to a local family now. My parents in law village is ruined by second home owners who come in don't use the village shop or school...