Promises of higher tax on second homes on the Isle of Wight should be treated with caution, councillors have warned.
The Isle of Wight Council wants to support the introduction of additional taxes when it meets on 15th March. However, some members fear this could send the wrong message to Islanders.
For some, it has been a long-held dream to make those who own second homes — or have empty properties — pay more. Such a move could be introduced in new government legislation and would allow local authorities to charge second homes up to double the amount of council tax.
Data from the authority suggests it could make an additional £6million if second homeowners were made to pay twice as much council tax.
Speaking at the corporate scrutiny committee on Tuesday, Councillor Joe Robertson said it was premature to issue a statement of intent when the law did not exist yet. He said while he supported the move, the council should issue a general statement, but leave any figures out.
Councillor Richard Quigley echoed concerns, saying the council was in danger of promising something that could not happen if it were suddenly removed from the legislation.
It is uncertain when the legislation — included in the Regeneration and Levelling Up Bill — will become law.
Councillor Joe Lever said the positives of the levy communicated to Islanders what they wanted to do and if a large number of councils had the same intent, it sent a message to government which could hopefully result in stronger legislation.
Cabinet member for strategic finance, Councillor Chris Jarman, stressed the goal of the tax levy was to bring empty properties or second homes back into use, addressing the Island’s housing need. Any additional income it may bring is a secondary goal. He also said declaring the council’s intent now would allow it to implement the levy as soon as it could.
The committee unanimously voted to say it supported the tax premiums but withheld a figure at which the levy would be charged until it becomes law.
Good. If they can afford a second home, they can afford to pay more Council Tax. Perhaps they’ll leave the residents alone who are struggling to ‘heat or eat’…
IF you have a ‘child’ or several, YOU should be able to afford to ‘keep it’ but most rely on others to fund its rental home, it’s dental and health care, its education, extra help on food and heating, school meals and uniforms, transport to school, etc etc.
They pay NOTHING or very little in but claim more than any second home owner. but because they are ‘poor’ that fine.
But it isn’t. For If you are poor then you should not be so selfish to bring others into your hand to mouth existence, and I suggest most only do, because they, the parent or rarely parents have an easy life on benefits.
So leave the wealth alone, they pay their way, DO YOU?
Sweeping generalisation…
As yours and ALL comments have to be without examining each case individually. So because the truth hurts, thick like you diss such.
Me thinks you doth protest too loudly.
Oh I do indeed. I have been working since I left school at the age of 16. So don’t think for a second I am ‘work shy’or a benefit scrounger! Bloody cheek.
I hold the same views as yourself. Children are used to ? manipulate the benefits system which is so wrong. If you bring a child into this world, you pay for all its needs and up keep. Don’t expect the hard working tax payers to do so. Getting back on the said subject, if you can afford a second home, you can afford to pay more CT. Simples.
Absolutely spot on Wendy, too many in this country think they can spit out kids and expect others to pay for them.
Data from the authority suggests it could make an additional £6million if second homeowners were made to pay twice as much council tax.
Perfect does that now mean that council tax doesn’t need to go up for island residents who only have 1 house???????
DOES IT F#*K
True. So when this new law is passed and the Councils are getting more CT money from second home owners, will the majority of us who only own 1 home, will we see a REDUCTION in our CT payments??????
So what will be the case fir second homeowners, who rent their property to tenants, but the tenants pay the council tax???.
Also what stops the second homeowners change their full time residency to thier so called second home on the island and declaring the first home as a second home, hope that makes sense and therfore avoiding payment….
Nothing stops the scams. Just more hyperbole from a useless council that barely gets any legalities properly implemented.
A nice idea should we have anyone competing in charge – but that isn’t anyone on IWC
That’s a bloody good idea, I shall be changing my main residence round
Why are you furious?
If the owner of a property rents it out then it isn’t a 2nd home, so this won’t apply.
If they actually move to the Island and spend most of their time here then they can do this. If they declare their IW home as their primary residence to avoid paying the enhanced council tax without living there most of the year then they are breaking the law (fraud) and can be prosecuted.
Obviously they will need to be caught, but the fact that most mail, including official documents, will need to go to the place they are actually living will be a complete give-away.
And there will be plenty of folk who will grass them up, too.
they will register a second home as a holiday let and claim business rates relief, which allows them to avoid paying council tax.
you only need prove that the property is available for letting for at least 140 days a year. rules are being tightened this year to require that owners prove that the property was actually let for at least 70 days in the year.
so, it will be “let” to a family member at weekends for 52 weeks – which is 104 days a year- job done. no tax to pay
Anyone know what’s happened to the Council’s phone lines ?
Gone home early it’s Friday after all
Thought they were now working a 4 day week.
‘IF’ It’s not gone through parliament yet so it can’t be enacted.
Parliament are too busy letting Dinghies in and arranging
5 star Hotel Accommodation for recipients who arrive.
Would not want them living it rough on the streets homeless like the Government
let ex service personnel live.
Yes, ok, but will it include THEIR second homes
The council can’t charge second home owners double! I would expect a legal challenge against this council tax scam and it will cost the council a fortune in legal fees when it loses. The council is not a law unto itself.
When the legislation is eventually in place, why not?
Checkout funkyprepper on you tube
He reckons no one should be paying council tax
There is a get out Claus for everyone.
That’s exactly what council said though? That they’re waiting for the appropriate law to be passed and THEN the council will be able to use it?
If it’s made law in Parliament, yes, second home owners will be made to pay more. This is not something the IOW Council or any other Council are implementing, it’s Westminster in London.
I think some of these councillors talk rubbish. The money is primarily in their mind as is always the case. That’s what taxes are for, to generate money.
It will backfire on them though. There are always ways around such schemes. Wouldn’t be surprised if second home ownership increases since the council now have an incentive to get double council tax.
Your statement makes no sense.
Morally unjust.
Whilst the dim poor want it, likely to ‘punish those having a better life than they’ income tax is what is ‘used’ to tax the wealthy NOT a local corrupt council.
Council tax is paid for services so an empty home uses LESS so such should pay less.
What ought to happen is those with children should ‘pay more’ as they are costly and pay in nothing. They need vastly expensive education, playing equipment etc etc, YET the joke is most parents of the poor pay NOTHING in council tax as most here on on tax credits or U.C which means they get it all for free as well as their rent.
They want to punish those who haven’t burdened society with more useless clones and done well for themselves. Odd, expected from Labour
It is all very well for a lot of the local dimwits to want to charge 2nd Home Owners more
Council Tax
It will impact the islands economy.
Many Islanders are only too pleased to sell their properties to Overners at extorninate prices
(You don’t think local Islanders will pay silly property prices)
It will deter people from buying homes on the Island and will also affect the building trade
who make millions by overcharging Overners for building work etc.
So think before you speak.
Where would the Island have been without all the money that’s been coming into the
Islands economy since the 1990’s
Too many backward people too thick to understand that. Too many freeloaders expect others to pay for their lazy lifestyle
Well said Michael
Will this include all the caravan parks on the Island (that will please Parkdean)
Brilliant news from the council for a change! The ONLY people objecting will be the 2nd home owners!
Extra income, yes, will it disappear in the incompetence and mismanagement black hole, also yes. If second homeowners decide to sell, will it solve the island’s housing crisis, no, because most of these properties are way out of budget for anyone who hasn’t been able to afford to buy as yet. Win win.
Should this controversial idea happen, it needs to be ring fenced. Otherwise Mr Loves department will spend the £6 million on 18 people. Based on the 3 people who recently cost £1 million.
The council like all civil departments in this country will take this money and WASTE it. The working people of this country are already over taxed to the point we are now uncompetitive on the world stage whilst the 1% and large corporations pay nothing. Wightlink are a fine example of blatant tax avoiders. Our spive of an mp is another.
What everyone needs to realise is second home owners contribute far more to the islands economy because they have more disposable income so in blaming them for all the islands problems is ridiculous.
Most of the negative reviews on here are from those that are happy to live on our benefit system or plain jealous.
When these people visit our island they spend a fortune in our shops and pubs which benefits the whole island and let’s not forget they normally use our builders who happily charge them extra because of who they are.
If the vast majority left the island we would all be considerably worse off and a lot more people would be out of their jobs.
drivel someone living in a house 52 weeks a year spends money on food and other local services every week, whereas a 2nd homeowner only spends locally, a few times a year.
But they still pay council tax for a whole year to cover services that they don’t use ant that you use all year round. Do the maths fool. Second home owners are already vastly subsidising your lives and you can’t see it. No good reason to make them pay twice just to support moany backward islanders. Good grief.