Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Welsh Parliament, Samuel Kurtz MS, has accused the Welsh Government of arrogance following their refusal to undertake a review of the length of time self-catering holiday properties need to operate as a business to qualify for business rates.
The new rules, introduced in Wales in April 2023, mean that the required rental period for self-catering properties has increased from 70 to 182 days. Failure to meet this requirement results in the property not being considered a business and instead classified as a second home, which is subject to additional council tax charges.
Responding to a letter from Mr Kurtz, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, confirmed that the Welsh Government: “has no plans to undertake a formal review of the changes to the self-catering criteria in the short term.”
Commenting, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“The Cabinet Secretary’s response to reviewing the 182-day limit is tone-deaf at best and arrogant at worst.
“Well before the change in the overnight limit took effect, self-catering businesses throughout my constituency, and across Wales, expressed concern that their businesses would become unviable under the increased rental requirement.
“Indeed, the technical consultation conducted prior to the increase showed that over half of respondents were against the Welsh Government’s proposals. Despite suggestions to reduce the rental limit to 140 days – the same threshold used in England – the Welsh Government continues to refuse any adjustment.
“The way to ensure houses for local people is not by punishing legitimate businesses who bring money into the local economy. Had the Welsh Labour Government delivered on their housing objectives and built enough new homes, which they never have, then constituents of mine who want to own their own home would have the opportunity to do so.”
182-day review refusal shows Welsh Government’s arrogance claims Kurtz
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Welsh Parliament, Samuel Kurtz MS, has accused the Welsh Government of arrogance following their refusal to undertake a review of the length of time self-catering holiday properties need to operate as a business to qualify for business rates.
The new rules, introduced in Wales in April 2023, mean that the required rental period for self-catering properties has increased from 70 to 182 days. Failure to meet this requirement results in the property not being considered a business and instead classified as a second home, which is subject to additional council tax charges.
Responding to a letter from Mr Kurtz, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, confirmed that the Welsh Government: “has no plans to undertake a formal review of the changes to the self-catering criteria in the short term.”
Commenting, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“The Cabinet Secretary’s response to reviewing the 182-day limit is tone-deaf at best and arrogant at worst.
“Well before the change in the overnight limit took effect, self-catering businesses throughout my constituency, and across Wales, expressed concern that their businesses would become unviable under the increased rental requirement.
“Indeed, the technical consultation conducted prior to the increase showed that over half of respondents were against the Welsh Government’s proposals. Despite suggestions to reduce the rental limit to 140 days – the same threshold used in England – the Welsh Government continues to refuse any adjustment.
“The way to ensure houses for local people is not by punishing legitimate businesses who bring money into the local economy. Had the Welsh Labour Government delivered on their housing objectives and built enough new homes, which they never have, then constituents of mine who want to own their own home would have the opportunity to do so.”