In the News: Eyewatering council bills for some in Wales ???????

Council tax very high in Cardiff already and this may well see the end of second homes in parts. If that released small houses and made them more affordable for younger buyers it may be a good thing. I once heard from my DD that Londoners she knew even considered buying a small valley house to store their mountain bikes in!!!

In Blaenau Gwent, which sits on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and has the highest council tax rates in Wales, a second home owner’s band D council tax bill could be as high as £8,313.

Really? Why? I didn't know that and am astonished
It is a deprived area

should also happen all over the south west. Well done wales

Just told DH
"Well, that will make them sell their second homes so locals get a chance. Goodoh!"

Compared to the rest of Wales, Blaenau Gwent has the highest proportion of houses in bands and A and B
That is why council tax is higher there because there are fewer Band D houses.

My recollection of Blaenau, Gwent is certainly of a very poor area.
I approve of second home owners paying higher council tax on the basis that their properties are presumably not occupied for sufficient periods of time to make a good contribution to the local economy. As to whether it will serve to release many houses which are affordable to local people, I’m not holding my breath.

I think second home owners should pay for the privilege, for the same reasons as GSM.

I am Cornish and have watched over my lifetime how ordinary Cornish couples have been priced out of the market because of wealthy folk buying second homes and perhaps spending 2 or so weeks a year in them. Th3 rest of the time these properties are empty, contributing nothing to the local economy except those paid to keep an eye of the properties.

We’re regular visitors to Abersoch, the second home owners can easily afford the hike, particularly if they’re letting to tourists.
Properties there are booked up often years in advance, a caravan can be 2 k in high season.
I hope the money filters down to helping locals.

The average council tax for England in 2020/21 was £1898 apparently, so for those of us who live in Wales, on average we pay less than our English counterparts. I’ve got no problem with second home owners paying more, they can afford to do so or they wouldn’t have a second home. However, I’d be very surprised if there are any second homes in Blaenau Gwent. The people who live there are great, and very supportive of each other, but it’s deprived, and certainly not a holiday destination.

I think its people who want to spend time biking, climbing, walking etc in the hills and also enjoy the scenery and explore the industrial heritage etc. Blaenau Gwent is on the edge of the Beacons.

I doubt anyone would choose a holiday home in Blaenau, I lived for a few years in Brynmawr , the people are certainly great

Slightly off topic many in those rows of terraced houses are owned and let out by 'absent landlords' and managed by agencies far away. Many are being sold now which are in a dreadful state and a real challenge for anyone.

I doubt it too fairfraise, they would be far more likely to buy in Brecon, Crickhowell or Abergavenny areas, which are much more desirable, and the ‘right’ side of the Beacons. I live near Brecon, and it’s got lots of second homes, and is overrun with tourists.

Hats off to Wales. It's possibly too little, too late though.

I wish it would happen here in rural Somerset. So many houses only inhabited for a few short weeks a year whilst young people and essential workers are priced out of the market. I pass one such house every day on my dog walk and the poor old place looks so sad and dark, shut up for 11 months of the year.

Anniebach

I doubt anyone would choose a holiday home in Blaenau, I lived for a few years in Brynmawr , the people are certainly great

I wasn't going to say that in case I upset someone on here. But certainly, for someone from elsewhere eg London, the prices would be affordable and the people great!

Callistemon I loved living in Brynmawr, our first posting was
Welshpool, my husband loved it there, then we were moved to
Brynmawr, he really didn’t like it there. Difference ? He was
Mid Wales born and bred, me, South Wales valley born and bred.

I remember Brynmawr in the late 60s/early 70s. I think I can now say without offending anyone that I thought it was a really miserable and impoverished place. Very nice people though. Unless it’s changed a lot I wouldn’t have thought many would want a holiday home in the area.