Therese has welcomed government plans to consult on closing a tax loophole, which could be costing our councils in lost council tax revenue. By calling second homes 'holiday let accommodation', some owners can potentially avoid paying council tax and instead pay business rates. However, as most holiday lets are liable for small business rate relief – some are able to pay nothing at all.
Therese said: "Second homeowners are really important to the local economy here in Suffolk through their own spending or by bringing in tourists who support local businesses. Many of them already pay council tax. What this proposal does is to ensure any second homeowner that claims business rate relief is actually entitled to it, by proving they are letting their property - and those who aren't should be paying council tax. This is a subject I raised with the Minister earlier this year."
The consultation runs until the 15th January and you can have your say here.
