Many local authorities are waiting for their plans to double council tax on empty properties and second homes to be approved by the government. However the deadline for the Bill to be passed in time for an April 2024 introduction has to be this April.

The majority of local authorities wishing to double council tax on appropriate properties are tourist ‘hot spots’ with high numbers of holiday lets and second homes, have already passed resolutions to do so. However they must wait to be given those powers in the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill currently doing the rounds through Parliament.

No doubt they will be highly disappointed and frustrated knowing that the Bill will not be passed for another year as it would have to be given  Royal Assent by April 1st.

The reason for the government dragging its feet and delaying the Bill’s progress is because they will be making further changes, so authorities will have to wait another year for their council tax ‘cash grab’.

Councillor Peter Wharf, deputy leader of Dorset council, when letting his colleagues know of the Bill’s delay, said: “The proposal to introduce council tax premiums on second homes and empty properties continues to be something we are keen to explore … We will watch the progress of the government’s new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill closely and bring this to Full Council once the legislation has passed.”