Council tax set to double for Devon second homes

East Devon District Council (EDDC)'s cabinet backed the new powers

Almost 3,000 second home owners in East Devon could see their council tax double from next year.

Councils could increase council tax on properties that are not a sole or main residence under the 2023 Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.

East Devon District Council cabinet backed the new powers this week.

It is hoped the changes will bring properties back into community use, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

'Tackle housing challenges'

The council can also define a property as empty after one year of it being unoccupied and unfurnished and charge 100% or more on top of the normal council tax bill based on how long it has been vacant.

Currently 2,760 properties in East Devon are second homes with 221 properties registered as being empty for more than one year.

These owners will have to pay double council tax from April this year.

Funds raised would be set aside to tackle housing challenges.

'Unscrupulous owners'

Councillor Paul Hayward advised against property owners exploiting any potential loopholes in the law.

He said: "There is a risk that some owners of a second property, I might say perhaps unscrupulous owners, may try to avoid their responsibilities for the additional premium by registering a person living in the property even though the residence remains elsewhere.

"If people wish to do that, and I suppose some people's inclination will be to do so, then Libby and her team [of council officers] will be watching for it, and they do have a great many tools to deal with this sort of, essentially, fraud and abuse."

The powers will be put to the full council soon to be ratified with homeowners paying double council tax from April 2025 if the proposals are approved.