Owners of second homes and long-term empty properties in Carmarthenshire will pay extra council tax from April next year. A majority of councillors approved a 50% premium on second homes and a 50% premium on properties which had been empty for one to two years, although there are exemptions.
The premium rises to 100% - or a doubling of council tax - for properties vacant for two to five years, and 200% for those empty more than five years. One empty property owner said she thought it was "legalised robbery".
The decision by full council followed a lengthy and sometimes confused debate after amendments were introduced by the Labour opposition group and no-one seemed sure what they were voting for. You can get more Carmarthenshire news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
