Council tells residents how to “report a suspected second home”

Cornwall Council has informed residents on how to report suspected second homes using an online form. Starting tomorrow, the council will levy an additional 100% council tax on second homes, expecting to raise £24 million annually under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act. As of December, there are over 14,000 second homes in Cornwall, comprising one in every 19 dwellings. Second homes are defined as fully furnished properties not lived in, including Airbnbs, holiday lets, and unoccupied investment homes. The council will conduct checks, and homeowners must provide evidence to maintain holiday let status or face losing it.