Second homeowners face 100% council tax hike

The council says second home ownership has a "negative impact" on housing supply

Homeowners who own a second property in the Forest of Dean which sits empty will face a 100% council tax hike from next spring.

Forest of Dean District Council backed the proposal on Thursday to double the premium it puts on second homeowners.

Councillors also approved a plan to charge property owners up to four times as much for long-term empty homes.

The council said second home ownership within parts of the district had a negative impact on local housing needs.

There are around 309 second homes in the Forest of Dean, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The move means properties which have been empty for more than 10 years will be charged up to 300%.

For properties which have been empty for between five and 10 years the premium will be 200%, while a 100% hike will be applied for those which have been empty for at least a year.

The measures are expected to bring in nearly £1m extra for the council and police services but only £90,000 would be retained by the authority.

Officers said holiday lets would not be affected as they are subject to business rates. They explained if a second home is used as an Airbnb owners will have to pay the premium.