The party – which has surged into a double-digit lead over Labour in recent polls – enjoyed plenty of success in last week’s local elections, returning 600 new councillors and taking control of 10 authorities.
Farage, the party’s leader, has repeatedly spoken out against the double tax policy, calling it “extortion” on the part of local authorities.
The second homes council tax premium is a levy introduced by the Tories under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
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It was brought in by more than 200 town halls across the country, after a similar policy began in Scotland last year. In Wales, councils have held the power to charge a 300 per cent premium for second home owners since 2023.
But critics of the policy have warned that some cash-strapped councils could be using it to boost funds for unrelated projects.
Why – and where – could Reform change the policy?
There are two local authorities where Reform could reverse the policy: Durham and West Northamptonshire.
This is because the levy primarily falls under the remit of district and city councils, rather than county councils which were the main focus of these recent elections.
Meanwhile, West Northamptonshire Council is a unitary authority which functions as both a district and county council.
In Durham, people with Band H – the highest value – properties in a market town such as Bishop Auckland would owe £10,180 in council tax on a second home – double the usual rate of £5,090 a year.
Farage, as mentioned, is not a fan of the second homes council tax premium.
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Read MoreMore recently, when asked whether Reform would reverse the policy amid his party’s local election successes, he said: “The whole thing is madness. Whatever the downsides of increased house prices, [second home owners] bring a lot of money into these areas.
“We are going to have that conversation with our council group once they’ve chosen their leaders.”
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