South Lakeland MP calls for Empty Homes Premium to apply to second homes

The Empty Homes Network consultation response on Council Tax reforms suggested that to avoid tax avoidance the council tax regime for second homes should be brought into line with that for other unoccupied homes. We're pleased to see that Tim Farron, MP for South Lakeland has echoed our views in a question in Parliament to Andrew Stunell, reported in Hansard for 5th December (see Column 18) and subsequently in the Westmoreland Gazette. Many of the issues that may arise with council tax figures and payment of New Homes Bonus could over time be addressed if the tax system was rationalised to treat all dwellings that are not someone's main home on an equal footing. Property holdings are not homes and could legitimately be treated differently .