{"id":44010,"date":"2023-12-14T10:58:59","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T10:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cabanesetcompagnie.com\/?p=44010"},"modified":"2023-12-14T10:58:59","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T10:58:59","slug":"council-tax-will-double-for-some-second-home-owners-in-april-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cabanesetcompagnie.com\/world-news\/council-tax-will-double-for-some-second-home-owners-in-april-next-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Council tax will double for some second home-owners in April next year"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Councils in Scotland will have the power to double council tax on second homes after new regulations were agreed in Holyrood.<\/p>\n

The measures, which the Government says aim to “prioritise housing for living in” will bring second homes in line with council tax policy on long-term empty homes.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Local authority chiefs in Perth and Kinross have already approved plans in principle to increase the tax by 100 percent when the measures are introduced in April.<\/p>\n

It is thought the council will generate around \u00a32million in 2024\/25 as a result.<\/p>\n

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The region has 1,160 second homes, while Scotland had 24,287 at the end of September 2022, according to the most recent figures.<\/p>\n

Second homes are currently subject to a default 50 percent discount on council tax.<\/p>\n

However, councils can vary charges, with the majority already setting the full rate for second homeowners.<\/p>\n

Protections have been put in place for owners of new properties that have previously been empty for more than 12 months.<\/p>\n

They been given a six-month grace period, with the potential for an extension, to “incentivise” homebuyers who need to complete renovations.<\/p>\n

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A home is classed as secondary if it is not used as a primary residence but is occupied for at least 25 days in a year.<\/p>\n

Local government leaders at Cosla previously backed the plans, which were a commitment in First Minister Humza Yousaf’s Programme for Government.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n