By Bill Heaney
Maybe you are retired and have worked hard enough and saved hard enough to have a wee house in the country.
If you have then be prepared to be taxed on it. That will double the cost of your holiday on Loch Lomondside or wherever you love to go for rest and relaxation.
West Dunbartonshire Council has agreed to a 100 percent increase in Council Tax on second homes which will help generate revenue for projects they choose.
A report presented at a Council meeting on Wednesday outlined the change which will be implemented from April 1st 2024 and brings the Council Tax charges levied on second homes in line with those for long term unoccupied dwellings.
The rise in Council Tax for second homes could generate up to almost £82,000 during the next financial year based on the 58 properties currently classed as second homes within the region.
This would be more than enough to keep Balloch Library open for the deprived communities around Haldane and the north end of Alexandria and Jamestown. The cost of that is estimated to be just over £50,000 a year.
A property is regarded as being a second home if it isn’t someone’s sole or main residence; if it is furnished and is lived in for at least 25 days of the year.
The Council say that the intention of the legislation is to encourage second homes to become someone’s sole or main residence.