“Public Consultation Launched on Potential Increases to Second Home and Empty Property Council Tax Premiums in Ceredigion”

A public consultation on potential increases to second home and empty property council tax premiums in Ceredigion has been launched.
Ceredigion currently has a 25 per cent premium on both second homes and empty properties, while neighbouring authorities have higher levels; Pembrokeshire at 100 per cent, Carmarthenshire at 50 per cent, and Powys at 75 per cent.
One of the county’s coastal towns – New Quay – has a second homes rate of more than a quarter of all properties, council figures show.
New Welsh Government local tax rules now allow local authorities being to collect council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties at up to 300 per cent.
Ceredigion Cabinet members, at their September meeting,  backed the launch of a consulatation.
Now, Ceredigion County Council wants to hear from you on the future level for these council tax premiums, including what impacts any change could have on local communities, the Welsh language, tourism and the economy.
Leader of Ceredigion County Council Councillor Bryan Davies said: “It is vitally important that we hear from you, the general public, on what you think would be the best approach for our council tax premiums.
“Addressing the issues of second homes, holiday homes ownership and the conversion of residential properties to holiday lets is a priority within the council’s approved 2022-2027 Corporate Strategy.
“This and increasing the supply and range of affordable housing in Ceredigion forms a key part of our Corporate Wellbeing Objective to create sustainable, green and well-connected communities.
“I would encourage everyone who lives and works in Ceredigion to complete our survey, so we can hear your thoughts on how to address the matter.”
For the 23/24 budget there were 33,856 chargeable properties in Ceredigion, 1,697 of them second homes and 592 empty properties, the two classes representing 6.8 per cent of all properties.
Areas with the highest proportion of second homes in the county were mostly coastal, the highest being New Quay, with a 27.2 per cent rate, followed by Llangrannog 17.1, Borth 14.1, Pontarfynach 11, Penbryn 9.6, Aberaeron 9.1, and Aberporth 8.4.
Long-term empty properties were greatest in more urban areas: Aberporth 2.2 per cent, Aberystwyth 1.8, Cardigan 1.5, and Llandysul 1.5.
The consultation runs to October 29.
Paper copies are available in all Ceredigion libraries and leisure centres, including the mobile library vans.
A similar consultation recently closed in neighbouring Pembrokeshire, the results of which are to be considered by senior councillors next month. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​