Extra council tax for second homes

8:30am Saturday 22nd November 2008

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MANY owners of second homes will have to pay more in council tax when a new-style unitary authority comes into being.

Durham County Council’s cabinet has decided that the minimum ten per cent discount will apply throughout the county from April.

The council is due to take over from the county’s seven district councils, which have different policies.

The majority allow a 50 per cent discount for second homes and only two, Chester-le-Street and Teesdale, have the minimum. The maximum allowed by the Government is 90 per cent.

A report to the council’s cabinet said there were 135 second homes in Chester-le-Street, 43 in Derwentside, 46 in Durham, none in Easington, 51 in Sedgefield, 244 in Teesdale and 706 in Wear Valley.

A report to councillors from county treasurer Stuart Crowe and Gary Ridley, acting chief executive of Wear Valley District Council said there should be just one discount rate.

“This will generate an additional £150,000 per annum and will act as an incentive to bring empty properties back into use."