Forest of Dean to Implement 100% Council Tax Increase for Empty Second Homes

Owners of secondary residences in the Forest of Dean that remain unoccupied are set to incur a 100% increase in council tax starting next spring. The Forest of Dean District Council endorsed this proposal on Thursday, which involves doubling the additional charge applied to owners of second homes. Furthermore, councillors sanctioned a scheme to impose charges on owners of properties that have remained vacant for extended periods, potentially up to four times the standard rate. The council stated that second home ownership within parts of the district had a negative impact on local housing needs. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, approximately 309 second homes are situated in the Forest of Dean. This initiative signifies that properties vacant for over a decade will incur charges reaching up to 300%. A 200% premium will be levied on properties that have been unoccupied for a period ranging from five to ten years, whereas a 100% increase will be imposed on those vacant for a minimum of one year. These measures are projected to generate almost £1m in additional funds for the council and police services; however, the authority itself is expected to retain only £90,000 of this sum. Council officers clarified that holiday rental properties will not be impacted, as they fall under business rates. They further elucidated that if a second home operates as an Airbnb, its owners will be required to pay the premium. Connect with BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submit your story concepts to us via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.