Council Tax: Second Homes

Debate between Lord Greenhalgh and Baroness Harris of Richmond

Thursday 4th November 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Greenhalgh (Con)]

My understanding is that we have introduced a stamp duty surcharge of some three percentage points on top of the standard rate for those who purchase additional properties. That covers all second home owners, so they are not getting off lightly when they are buying their homes, and the Treasury is doing very well out of that regime.

[Baroness Harris of Richmond (LD) [V]]

My Lords, I declare my interest as a second home owner. Can the Minister tell me what impact he thinks this will have on communities where second homes are prevalent?

[Lord Greenhalgh (Con)]

My Lords, it is a hard one to answer; in some areas where tourism is incredibly important it is a great boost to the economy, and in others it can result in the hollowing out of a particular area. I cannot give a simple response to that question.