Councillors make move to scrap second home council tax discount

Graham_Devon

nicko33 wrote: »

Would you like to see the single-occupancy discount removed also then?
So that one homeowner pays the same as another home owner.

No, I wouldn't like to see that removed.

But you are now watering this argument down and ignoring the second home part to make your argument.

Your argument now could be used for a variety of arguments on benefits, income tax thresholds etc etc etc.

These are luxuries. Second homes.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

No, I wouldn't like to see that removed.

But you are now watering this argument down and ignoring the second home part to make your argument.

Your argument now could be used for a variety of arguments on benefits, income tax thresholds etc etc etc.

These are luxuries. Second homes.

Having a second home is a luxury - it's square footage that you don't need.

Having an under occupied house is a luxury - it's square footage that you don't need.

Graham_Devon

wotsthat wrote: »

Having a second home is a luxury - it's square footage that you don't need.

Having an under occupied house is a luxury - it's square footage that you don't need.

So all single households are living in luxury with square footage they don't need?

You struggling?

So whats your argument then. So far you haven't given one, just tried to water down suggestions on the revnue created, the impact to families etc etc.

I can only therefore assume you stand behind reductions in council tax for second home owners? Otherwise, it appears you are just taking issue, in a variety of ways with whats said, with no actual opinion of your own.

nicko33

Graham_Devon wrote: »

These are luxuries. Second homes.

That's not an argument, it's just envy.

If these (or any) houses put a reduced burden on council services there is a reasonable case for a discount.

Graham_Devon

nicko33 wrote: »

That's not an argument, it's just envy.

If these (or any) houses put a reduced burden on council services there is a reasonable case for a discount.

The counsellors state they do not put a reduced burden on council services.

You could suggest they may not get their bins emptied. But bin collections still have to take place.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I can only therefore assume you stand behind reductions in council tax for second home owners? Otherwise, it appears you are just taking issue, in a variety of ways with whats said, with no actual opinion of your own.

You assume wrong but this can happen if you don't read the posts.

Cornwall Council, as I said, should be trying to get high net worth individuals to spend more time in their second homes and not less.

Taxing them more, albeit a small amount in this case, is an incentive for them to spend their money elsewhere which is the last thing Cornwall needs.

Graham_Devon

wotsthat wrote: »

You assume wrong but this can happen if you don't read the posts.

Cornwall Council, as I said, should be trying to get high net worth individuals to spend more time in their second homes and not less.

Taxing them more, albeit a small amount in this case, is an incentive for them to spend their money elsewhere which is the last thing Cornwall needs.

Do you know this area?

Turnbull2000

It's will be opposed by older, vocal second owners soon enough.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Do you know this area?

Yes - it's the bit that sticks out in the South-West.

I have family that live their and I'm, potentially, going to be a second home owner there in the future. In the more distant future I hope to retire there.

The sums of money we are talking about are tiny but they are indicative of the attitude i.e. we're too lazy to find goods and services that you'd spend your money on willingly so we'll just tax you instead.

wotsthat

d.ross wrote: »

Well wecome to the real world.

Those millions of us who can only afford one home have to pay the full amount of council tax for the maximum number of homes that we can afford to own. So those who own two or more homes would be doing exactly the same. Now try telling me that isn't fair.

Yes - I did visit the real world once - didn't like it so came back to this forum instead.

I'm not trying to tell you it isn't fair. I'm suggesting that Cornwall's economy would be better served by a council that was looking to encourage visitors to part with more money during their time there.

BTW - this is a first step. The council want to surcharge second homes and not just get rid of the discount. Then there'll be a tax on second home parking spaces and Northern accents. Eventually they'll get their way and discourage sufficient visitors so they qualify for special EU assistance again.