For council tax purposes, a second home is a furnished property that you own or rent for your own personal use but is not your main residence. Examples of second homes include holiday homes, job related properties, properties that are empty in-between tenants, a property you have inherited and properties that are on the market for sale.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, gives local authorities in England the power to charge a Council Tax Premium of 100% on second homes from 1 April 2025. West Devon Borough Council agreed at its full Council meeting on 20 February 2024 to charge the 100% premium for second homes from 1 April 2025.
If you have recently purchased or rented a property to be used as a second home, please register with our online move form:
If you already have a Council Tax account for your second home property and have received a letter asking to confirm or update its status please complete our short online form.
Please note, to complete the form you will need to provide evidence of its status:
- If the property remains a second home you will need to provide proof the property is a second home. This could be a Council Tax bill in your name for your main residence.
- If the property is no longer a second home because a tenant has moved in you will need to provide a copy of the tenancy agreement for your tenant.
- If you have moved into the property you will need to provide evidence that the property is your main residence. This can be identification documents that include your address, e.g. driving licence/registration document with doctors surgery etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you charging a premium?
The Council declared a Housing Crisis in February 2022 and by charging the second homes premium, we are encouraging council taxpayers to use a dwelling as their main residence or allow others to do the same.
When was notice of the premium given?
Once the Council had voted in favour of charging additional Council Tax on second homes, it was required to give a year’s notice before implementing the increase. A public notice was raised for both South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council on 2 March 2024.
How will I pay the premium?
A premium of 100% will automatically be added to the Council Tax charge from 1 April 2025. Although the amount you pay will be higher, the total charge will be shown on one bill, and you will still be able to pay Council Tax in 10 or 12 monthly instalments.
Are there any exceptions to the premium?
The government has indicated that it may introduce legislation before 1 April 2025 which will except certain categories of property from the Second Homes premium.
The proposed exceptions cover the following circumstances:
- Properties undergoing probate will have a 12 month exception to the premium after probate or letters of administration have been granted
- Properties being actively marketed for sale or let will have a 12 month exception to the premium
- Annexes forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling
- Job related second homes which must be occupied as a condition of employment will be exempt from the premium
- Occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings
- Seasonal homes where year-round or permanent occupation is prevented
What if my property is used for Holiday Lets?
From 1 April 2023 the rules regarding self-catering holiday lets has changed. It may be that the property should be in the Business Rates List rather than the Council Tax List. To be eligible for Business Rates your property must be:
- available and advertised for letting commercially for short periods that total 140 nights or more in the previous and current year;
- actually let commercially for 70 nights or more in the previous year.
Until your property meets all the above criteria, it will continue to be banded for Council Tax and you will need to continue to pay your Council Tax bill.
For more information please visit our webpage.
What if my second home is undergoing renovation?
If there is no one living in your property, or if it is undergoing major structural repair, you may be able to receive a discount.
More details of Discounts and Exemptions for Empty Properties can be found on our webpage.