There's a campaign meeting in Filey on Saturday.
One of those attending is Susan Pape:
"We're a group of second-home owners with holiday homes in Filey and Scarborough and we are getting together to have a campaign meeting to really try and campaign against the imposition of the premium tax.
"We don't think the council carried out the full impact study and don't realise the amount of damage that's being done to local tourism, local businesses to say nothing of what it's doing to second homeowners.
"We've had messages from people who've had their holiday homes for 20, 30 or 50 years, and they just can't afford the double premium. One person got in touch with me today and said he's going to be paying nearly £300 a month because of the premium charge."
North Yorkshire Council charges a 100% council tax premium on second homes, effectively doubling the standard council tax rate for these properties. This premium applies to substantially furnished homes that are not a person's sole or main residence:
- Standard rate: A standard council tax charge is applied to the property.
- Premium rate: The 100% premium doubles this standard charge, bringing the total council tax to 200% of the normal rate.
- Rationale: The premium was introduced under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 to address the local housing shortage and encourage properties to be used as main residences.
Certain properties are exempt from the second home premium:
- Job-related housing: Properties required for an individual's job, such as a caretaker or minister of religion, may be exempt.
- Annexes: An annex used as part of the main residence is not subject to the premium.
- Seasonal homes: Properties that have a planning restriction preventing year-round occupancy are exempt.
The council also charges a premium on properties that are left empty and substantially unfurnished.
- Empty for 1 to 5 years: A 100% premium applies, meaning you will pay double the standard rate.
- Empty for 5 to 10 years: A 200% premium applies (triple the standard rate).
- Empty for over 10 years: A 300% premium applies (quadruple the standard rate).
Susan added:
" There are some people who think this premium tax is a bit of a money-spinner and not being ring-fenced for people in Filey and Scarborough who are looking for homes, I'm not sure I would support it. I'm not sure if many people would support it if the premium tax was lowered, as it's seen as a penalty.
"For those of us who've worked hard all our lives to attain a bolt-hole in this beautiful part of the coast, it feels as though we're being penalised for having something really nice in our retirement."
The meeting's at the Evron Centre at 10.30am on Saturday morning.
The authority says the rules and exceptions for second homes and empty properties can be complex and people should contact them directly with any concerns.
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