Double council tax second home policy agreed

Second and empty homes in Dorset will be charged a council tax premium

A council has approved plans to charge double council tax on second homes.

Dorset Councillors agreed on Wednesday to implement a 100% premium for the properties.

They also agreed to change the rules for unoccupied homes, bringing in a 100% premium after one year of the property being empty instead of two.

Of the additional income, 40% will be put towards the development of affordable housing, the council said.

The change for properties classified as long-term empty and unoccupied will come into force on 1 April, while the premium on second homes will come into effect on 1 April 2025.

Unlike empty dwellings, a property does not have to have been used as a second dwelling for a specific period of time - it is chargeable from the first day a property is considered a second home.

Conservative councillor Jill Haynes said council tax premiums on second homes and empty properties have been "discussed in Dorset for several years".

She added that the government's Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill enabled the council to make the changes.

"These new powers will provide much needed additional funds to help the council continue our track record of protecting vital frontline services on which Dorset residents rely," she said.

The motion for 40% of the income to go towards affordable housing was put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor Nick Ireland, and was agreed by the council.