Thousands of households across the UK will see their council tax quadruple in just days. The new rules will see roughly 5,000 second-home owners hit with a 300% premium on their annual payments.

The new charging system will see second-home owners in Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands pay quadruple the amount for council tax every year. It will be enforced from Wednesday, April 1, with the new rules being some of the highest charges on second properties in Britain.

Local councils have decided to quadruple council tax on second homes to combat housing shortages and increase the availability of properties for locals. They hope the new system will make second-home ownership less attractive in areas such as the Highlands and Edinburgh.

In April 2024, the Scottish Government gave councils the power to charge double council tax. Further legislation has since been passed which allows for higher premiums.

The Highland Council has also approved plans to increase council tax payments by 400% by 2028. In the Highlands, council tax bills will hit £6,536 per year from April.

A second home is defined as one that is furnished and lived in for at least 25 days every year. It must also not be used as someone’s main residence throughout the year.

Ariane Burgess, who represents the Highlands and Islands region in the Scottish Parliament, said: “I’m glad that councillors are using new powers to take action against the huge numbers of second and holiday homes and to support local people who want an affordable place to live by putting more homes in circulation.”

Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, added: “The higher premium for second homes aims to increase housing availability by encouraging owners to bring properties back into active use as permanent homes and increase Edinburgh’s available housing stock.”

Joanna Marchong, policy analyst at the Adam Smith Institute, said: “This is a classic example of how absurd these second home premiums have become. Quadrupling council tax on second homes is less about housing policy and more about town halls hunting for new ways to squeeze taxpayers.”