North Green MSP backs plans to double council tax on second homes
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
PLANS by the Scottish Government to double council tax on second homes have been welcomed by north Green MSP, Ariane Burgess. She said the proposal will help free up more homes in the Highlands and Islands for "those who really need them."
Ms Burgess said: "Homes are for living in, not for hoarding. Everyone should have access to good quality and affordable housing.
“Yet, in the Highlands and Islands there are 9183 perfectly good houses sitting empty for most of the year . This is at the same time as families are stuck on housing waiting lists and young people are being forced to leave the community they have grown up in due to a lack of affordable homes."
“These Council Tax plans sit alongside other crucial measures that we have already delivered, like the increased tax on the initial purchase of second and holiday homes.
“Not only will they raise vital funds to support public services during the cost-of-living crisis, they will collectively act as a disincentive on second home ownership and free up more homes in the Highlands and Islands for those who really need them."
The MSP added: "With this kind of bold action, we can tackle the broken housing market, make it easier for younger people in particular to buy their first home and help communities like those in the Highlands and Islands to thrive."
She pointed out that the policy will help fulfil the housing commitments set out in the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Greens and Scottish Government. It follows a recent increase in the tax paid on the purchase of second and holiday homes. Both policies had been heavily lobbied for by Scottish Green MSPs.
Second Homes are defined as being furnished and lived in for, at least 25 days in a 12 month period, but not as someone’s main residence.
Highland has the highest number of second homes, according to data collected by local authorities. It has 3720 while Argyll and Bute has 3045. The Western Isles has 885, Moray 799 with Orkney at 563 and Shetland on 171 – a total of 9183.
