Moray councillor seeking council tax increase on second homes as figures show nearly 700 lie empty most of the year

A MORAY councillor has written to the Scottish Government seeking power to increase council tax on second homes.

Cllr Jérémie Fernandes has written to Housing Minister Shona Robison to ask that councils be given the power to raise council tax on second homes due to housing shortages in Moray.

This follows changes in the law in England that allow councils to increase council tax on second homes by 100 per cent and in Wales where councils will be allowed to increase the maximum council tax premium on second homes to 300 per cent next April.

Council figures show that there are nearly 700 second homes in Moray which remain empty for most of the year.

Cllr Fernandes argues that those houses could make a "real difference" to the region's housing challenges.

“We have a huge housing shortage in Moray, and despite large scale investment in social housing by the Scottish Government, we still have thousands of people on the council waiting list," Cllr Fernandes said.

“There’s isn’t an abundance of properties available for private rent long term either, so many people who live and work here have real difficulties securing suitable long-term accommodation.

“According to council figures, there are almost 700 second homes in Moray lying empty most of the year.

“These houses could make a real difference to our local housing challenge if they were put to use by people who live and work here.

"Moray is not the only area where young people and families are struggling to access suitable housing.

“Having more discretionary powers over taxes on second homes would allow the council to create incentives for owners to release houses onto the market, either for sale or long-term lets."

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