>The draft regulations giving local authorities the power to apply the premium have been laid before the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.
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>More than half of people (55%) were in favour of the change according to a Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) consultation.
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>COSLA resources spokesperson councillor Katie Hagmann said: “Subject to Parliamentary approval, COSLA very much welcomes the ability for councils to take the decision to increase the premium on second homes in their areas.
>“Allowing the politicians who are closest to their communities to take decisions about what best suits local needs and circumstances is well aligned to the Verity House Agreement.”
5 comments
>The draft regulations giving local authorities the power to apply the premium have been laid before the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.
~
>More than half of people (55%) were in favour of the change according to a Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) consultation.
~
>COSLA resources spokesperson councillor Katie Hagmann said: “Subject to Parliamentary approval, COSLA very much welcomes the ability for councils to take the decision to increase the premium on second homes in their areas.
>“Allowing the politicians who are closest to their communities to take decisions about what best suits local needs and circumstances is well aligned to the Verity House Agreement.”
[Latest figures show that as at September 2022 there were 24,287 second homes in Scotland.](https://www.gov.scot/news/prioritising-homes-for-living-in/)
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So, no, this wont pay for the council tax freeze.
Do councils currently have anyway of knowing if it’s someone’s second home?
Good and cool.
Good, its absurd they had an option for reduced rates to begin with.