North Yorkshire’s second homeowners to pay double council tax

Meanwhile, Tracy Matthews, from Wilman and Lodge Estate Agents in Grassington, said: “Properties get snapped up very quickly and local people don’t get a look in.”

Ms Matthews said she believed the real issue was the number of holiday lets.

“Most of the people are holiday let people and if they fit the criteria for small business rates they don’t pay council tax anyway, so they’ll be exempt from the new charge,” she said.

North Yorkshire Council said there was strict criteria for holiday lets and they must be available for rent for a minimum of 140 days a year.

The council said it promised to be “very robust” in making sure holiday lets were genuine.

Dadd added: “There is an acute shortage of housing for local people in many communities in North Yorkshire.

“We as a council are proud to be leading the way with such a forward-thinking scheme to introduce the council tax premium that will ideally see these second homes brought back into use for local people.”

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