Second home owners

[confusedthirtysomething2]

My local council has trebled council tax rates for second home owners. I live in a town that relies on tourism.

Ive noticed there are a lot less homes to rent since the increase of council tax and subsequently non locals selling up or not buying properties.

What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think such a massive increase in council tax will help local families. I hope I’m wrong but despite the tourism, this is a working class area where a large number of people earn less than 30k.

Debating this with someone I know. Aibu?

since the initial increase of council tax last year

I may well live in the same area as you. I've noticed many people putting second homes on rightmove, driving down the prices and making them more affordable for local families.

Tourism is a really crap feast-or-famine industry. It works for four months of the year, and for the other eight there is no work at all for local people. On top of that, people in holiday homes/lets tend to get groceries delivered to them from Asda or Tesco, so they don't spend much money locally. It makes far more sense for the local economy for the tourists to stay in hotels.

The increased tax will make buyers look at whether they want the increased cost, or whether staying in an hotel will be better value.

It should discourage 2nd home buyers, leaving more homes available for people who want to live in the town full time. That isn't quite the same as locals but better for the town.

Hotels should benefit, restaurants should benefit, community assets such as schools should benefit from more full time permanent residents.