Second home owners face council tax bills of up to £10,000 a year from April as cash-strapped councils take advantage of new powers to levy a 100pc premium.
Over two thirds of councils in England will charge higher rates on additional properties from next month as many seek to shore up their ailing finances.
The average second home owner will see their tax bill rise 77pc to £3,672 in 2025-26 as a result, Telegraph analysis of Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) data can reveal. However, those owning the most expensive properties in some areas face a bill in excess of £10,000.
Demonstrates the extent to which our taxation system hammers high earners
John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign group, said the premium “demonstrates the extent to which our taxation system hammers high earners”, and accused councils of inflicting an “unjustifiable punishment on success and ambition”.
