North Norfolk council calls for holiday home tax review

North Norfolk councillors have called on the government to review a law allowing second-home owners to avoid paying council tax.

A legal loophole means people who own second homes can class them as furnished holiday lets and often qualify for 100pc small business rate relief, meaning they pay no council tax or business rates.

Liz Withington tabled a motion to the council’s meeting on Wednesday to ask the government for a review.

She said to qualify as a furnished holiday let, a home should be let out for at least 105 days a year and be available to let for at least 205 days, but owners did not have to prove occupancy levels.

During the meeting, Conservative Nigel Dixon said: “I can see the element of equality that will follow this – I will be supporting this motion.”

The vote passed almost unanimously with 36 votes in favour and two abstentions.