Janet Finch-Saunders, the Senedd Member for Aberconwy implores that the Welsh Government call off their attack against second home ownership which is expected to deliver a devastating blow to the Welsh economy through the tourism sector.
Commenting on the issue, Janet said.
“The Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) found that 84% of self-catering operators in Wales believe they won't be able to continue their business if new letting laws are introduced and tax rises slapped on legitimate second homes which are used as self-catering accommodation in the tourism sector. Where we have industry experts here in Wales, the Welsh Government are driven to ignore them and continue with an agenda that serves no one.”
Under new rules, holiday lets such as Airbnb’s will be required to reach a higher occupancy threshold of at least 182 days per year, but recommendations from organisations such as the WTA have clearly shown that not only is this untenable but that it is unrealistic given the current climate of recovery in Wales. In a recent Welsh Government consultation, a total of 121 responses provided alternative suggestions for the actually let criteria, with 118 suggesting a threshold higher than the current 70 days, ranging from 77 to 365 days. The most common specific suggestions were 105 days.
Commenting further, Janet said.
“The Welsh economy has taken a hard beating over the past three years and we now need to see policy being introduced to alleviate much of this. To imagine the possibility of a Council Tax premium of up to 300% being applied to some homeowners is beyond comprehensible and will mark one of the most regressive tax policies in Europe. What’s being suggested by the Welsh Government won’t only hit working families and communities but drag the Welsh tourism sector to rock bottom. This can’t be allowed to go ahead.”
