Gwynedd Council is set to carry out a public consultation on how to use new powers that will allow them to further increase council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty properties. In July of this year, the Welsh Government announced its plans to introduce stricter rules for holiday homes.
The maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties will be increased to 300%, which will be effective from April 2023. This would effectively quadruple council tax on second homes. Currently, premiums are set to a maximum level of 100%, meaning 23,000 properties in Wales paid double the normal council tax this year.
Local authorities opting to apply premiums have access to additional funding, and the Welsh Government has encouraged councils to use these resources to improve the supply of affordable housing. Under the new rules however, councils will get to decide the level that is appropriate for their individual local circumstances.
