Second home owners in North Yorkshire to be charged DOUBLE council tax
North Yorkshire could become one of the first areas in the UK to introduce the rules
North Yorkshire has become one of the first areas in the country to back double council tax on empty second homes.
The decision, taken by councillors, will mean an 100% premium will be introduced for second home owners could come into force by April 2024.
The proposals are ultimately aimed at bringing second homes back into use for local communities after many people have been priced out of the housing market in some of North Yorkshire’s most desirable locations.
It is also expected that the decision to introduce the premium will provide a multi-million pound boost to finance key council priorities, including a central aim to use the funding to help introduce more housing in areas particularly affected by the affordability crisis.
North Yorkshire County Council said more than 8,000 properties in the region will be affected, and it could bring an extra £14 million a year.
The National Housing Federation’s chief executive, Kate Henderson, voiced her support for the move to help tackle the issue of second home ownership, which is particularly prevalent in North Yorkshire’s vast rural areas and seaside towns.
She said: “I’m pleased to see decisive action being taken to address the housing crisis in North Yorkshire. There is a chronic shortage of truly affordable homes in rural areas, and where people can’t afford to live, they can’t afford to work, which ultimately damages rural growth and productivity.
“I’m glad to see that the revenue raised from these measures will be directed to providing the homes that communities sorely need.”
The new rules will only be introduced if the Government's Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill is enshrined in law.