English Councils are in line for an extra £65m to spend on local services and the provision of affordable housing.
The government hopes the cash will come after swingeing changes to the rules on council tax on second homes, announced by local government minister Nick Raynsford on Tuesday as part of a new Local Government Bill.

The changes will give councils in England the choice to apply council tax discounts of 10-50% for second homes – less than the current discount of 50%.

In a bid to bring vacant houses back into use, councils will be able to end discounts for long-term empty properties. The sharing of limited amounts of council tax information between authorities will also be permitted.

This is a step in the right direction but I have reservations

Moira Constable, chief executive, Rural Housing Trust

Raynsford said: "High demand for second homes may affect property prices, forcing people to look for housing elsewhere. We are especially concerned about the impact this trend may have for people on low incomes and key workers."

Source

Housing Today