The Scottish government has approved new regulations that will allow councils to double council tax on second homes.
The move is estimated to generate millions for councils in the next fiscal year at a time where local authorities are cash-strapped and struggling across the whole of the UK.
UK’s new visa rules to impact many Indian families
The exact date council tax is set to double for a key group of homeowners has been revealed. The move is estimated to generate millions for councils in the next fiscal year at a time where local authorities are cash-strapped and struggling across the whole of the UK.
Councils in Scotland will have the power to double council tax on second homes after new regulations were agreed in Holyrood. The authority to implement charge increases will take effect from April 1, 2024, with rates for the first year being based on those from 2023/24.
Public finance minister Tom Arthur welcomed the passing of the "important legislation". He said: "These changes to council tax were a commitment made in our Programme for Government and aim to make sure the tax system works as an incentive to prioritise homes for living in.
"A majority of those who responded to our consultation earlier this year supported councils being able to charge a council tax premium on top of regular rates for second homes. By protecting those renovating an empty home from paying the empty home premium, we are incentivising new ownership and giving them time to organise and undertake the work necessary to bring it back into use."
Cosla's resource spokeswoman Katie Hagmann said: "I am delighted that this very important legislation has now been given parliamentary approval. Cosla very much welcomes the ability for councils to take the decision to increase the premium on second homes in their areas.
"This supports our long-standing position that councillors who are closest to their communities should be empowered to take the decisions about what best works in their local communities." SNP councillor Tom McEwan – who convenes PKC’s Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee – urged councillors to seek out land in rural areas.
The Blairgowrie and Glens councillor said: “The real barrier to building housing in rural locations is actually land and not necessarily the finances to do it with. I do advocate that any councillors in rural areas, you really need to start influencing the landowners and owners of vacant properties to see if they’ll give those properties or bits of land.”
Tags
Latest