A doubling in council tax rates for 2nd home and empty property owners could be introduced, should new legislation be approved.
As the housing crisis continues and with more than 3,000 2nd homes now recorded on the Island, the Isle of Wight Council is looking to introduce new tax premiums.
They could be introduced nationally for local authorities through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which is currently in its 4th stage in the House of Commons.
Once it is approved, the Isle of Wight Council is looking to enforce the extra charges from 1st April 2024.
An Alliance administration spokesman reiterated the need for national legislation to be introduced and said they were only looking into the possibility in principle like other local authorities have done. They said it would be inappropriate not to look at this option as it is a potential source of income generation.
In North Yorkshire, councillors have backed plans to introduce the council tax premiums should the government allow it. They have said the proposals would help bring more houses back into use for local people after they had been priced out of the housing market but also provide a £14 million boost to the council’s finances.
In current Isle of Wight Council tax policies, any property unoccupied and unfurnished for 2% years is charged an extra 100% of their council tax. For properties empty for at least 5 years, the charge goes up to an extra 200% and those empty for 10 years are hit with 300% extra.
In figures included in the council’s Draft Island Planning Strategy, there are thought to be 1,150 empty homes on the Island although a more ‘meaningful figure’ would be 746.
The council says that is because the lower figure does not include homes empty for probate reasons, residents receiving care elsewhere or repossessions.
The council is now looking to bring in a 100% charge for properties that have been left empty and unfurnished for a year as well as charging an extra 100% for second homes.
Isle of Wight councillors will be asked to support the move in January.
As punch. That’s the way to do it.
Yet the race card being so powerful, no-one dare state the obvious reason why homes are becoming rare and expensive, which is in large part due to the huge amount of newcomers arriving here daily.
And as they know that their applications to stay will take years, most end up creating, if the womb is not already filled, another clone to ensure they then have a right to stay and a good income forever more.
So, whilst people rant about them in expensive hotels, all will end up eventually in a house or flat, which pushes people who no longer feel at home in towns they have lived in all their lives, and then they end up settling here, where atm, immigrations is low in comparison.
So not ‘all’ due to 2nd home owners
There is no shortage of houses on the Island There IS a shortage of available homes.
Anything that encourages empty properties to be let, and to stop the spread of seldom used second homes or holiday homes would be a good thing surely.
It WON’T happen, as it is the rich who own second homes, so it will be as usual, the ‘masses’ who fund their lifestyles.
Some excuse will be found to ‘not’ go ahead with such, and we will be paying more.
Watch and see
I assume second homes used for holiday rentals will be exempt ,will airnb&b be taxable?
I think those with arnb properties should be taxed even higher. Many bare paid in cash, so who knows how much extra in their pockets…
Never understand why they haven’t had to pay full council tax in the first place !!!!
And why on earth are there so many long winded hoops to jump through ?????
Council /Government rubber necking is ridiculous ……2024 as they are approaching step 4 ,,,,,
How many more steps ?????
Full council tax, on a second home has been charged for years.
Sure our the council who only care about the feckless, that contribute so little, will use the money.
About time too. This policy has been in force in Wales for many years now. (Another area with an issue of second-home owners and empty properties.)
Yet again, punish the people who have got of their backside and made an effort in life to be able to own a second home ,and reward the lazy for being idle .
Either trolling or stupid.
The problem is the lack of affordable homes for young Islanders. You may have been able to afford a £250k mortgage at 25. Most can’t.
Neither actually .I grafted for what I have now .I am sick of people moaning they can’t afford something. Well work harder and and put some effort in and stop expecting to be given everything on a plate ,and punishing those who chose to work hard .
More often than not, many homes are hand me downs through the families… not from actual working… !! Bought by great great grand parents for a few shillings…
You don’t need two homes full stop it’s just not fair nothing to do with being idle young people just can’t afford a large mortgage, wages a low on the island don’t be selfish
I’ve only ever had island wages ,and have managed just fine .its this attitude of vile bigotry towards people who have worked hard and reaped the rewards of it that I find offensive , you can own as many homes as you want ,we live in a democracy not China .if you have made poor life choices ,do not blame someone else .
I hope this goes through, but would think if a home is left empty for 10 years, then the council should be able to take over that property, or auction it off. Who would leave a home empty for that amount of time ?
Isn’t forcibly seizing something that undeniably belongs to somebody simply theft?
Its all hot air as election’s are looming
They wait until the last minute to look good.
Prob is Pops, the poor are least likely to vote, as can’t be bothered, so it will be the type that own two or more homes who will vote, so the Council imo, will pretend they are going to hit the wealthy with such c tax, but, find some reason, last minute, to say they are unable to, as the second or multiple home owners are the most likely ones to vote.
They don’t wish to bite the hand that feeds, AND many of them (Councillors) and their families will BE the ones who do own several homes, in family members names to keep such info out of the hands of the baying mob, so won’t wish to shoot themselves in the foot either.