Thousands more holiday and second home owners face Council Tax hit

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Some 12,000 extra property investors and second homers will be landed with double Council Tax bills in April, according to Hamptons.

30th Dec 20250 457 1 minute read David Callaghan

Thousands more second home and holiday let owners are set to be landed with double Council Tax bills this coming year, new analysis shows.

Many councils began charging 100% surcharges on Council Tax in April, at the first opportunity, and another group is set to do so in a few months’ time.

Premium charge

More than 200 local authorities (211) have already hit property owners with the premium, and a further 38 plan to follow suit this April, The Times reports.

The move will mean up to 12,300 second homes, including many Airbnb lets, will be subject to the charge, according to Hamptons.

Some holiday let investors switched to business rates to avoid the Council Tax surcharge, but this trend has tailed off, Hamptons says, as many just decided to sell up instead.

Numbers of holiday lets in the business rates system fell by 15% in the year to April 2025, the agency says.

We’re entering a second wave of charges as councils look for fresh ways to boost their budgets.”

Aneisha Beveridge, Head of Research, Hamptons

Aneisha Beveridge, Head of Research at Hamptons, told The Times: “We’re entering a second wave of charges as councils look for fresh ways to boost their budgets.

“The big second-home destinations were quick to introduce the surcharge, but now others are set to follow.”

No justification Elliot Keck, Campaigns Director, The Taxpayers’ Alliance

Elliot Keck, Campaigns Director at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “For thousands of households across the country, the new year threatens a crippling tax raid on their properties.

“There is no justification for this, given that second-home owners will make much less use of council services.”

A survey in August by Sykes Holiday Cottages of second homeowners, who don’t currently let their properties out, found that 71% are now more likely to do so. Some 56% were considering short-term holiday letting, 39% exploring long-term rental, and 20% thinking about selling.

In October, Scottish councils were given the power to charge unlimited council tax premiums on second homes.

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Tagsairbnb council tax on holiday homes second homes 30th Dec 20250 457 1 minute read David Callaghan Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email