A recent increase in a tax known as Additional Dwelling Supplement can help to tackle inequality in housing across Renfrewshire, address the hoarding of properties by big landlords and reduce the damage caused by holiday homes, say the Scottish Greens.
It comes as Scottish Government statistics confirm that the number of second homes increased by 2% (397 homes) from 23,890 to 24,287 in the period between September 2021 and September 2022.
At present there are 782 properties that have been empty for six months or more, and 153 second homes in Renfrewshire.
The supplement is an additional tax paid by those purchasing a property which is not their primary home, such as “buy to let” landlords and those buying second homes. It has now been increased from 4% to 6%, delivering on a long term policy of the Scottish Greens and housing campaigners.
This change will raise an additional £34 million per year for public services while shifting the balance away from second homes and buy-to-let landlords, and towards first time buyers and others looking to buy homes in their own community.
Ross Greer, Scottish Green MSP for Renfrewshire, said: “People desperately need good quality and affordable housing, yet, all across Renfrewshire, there are far too many homes sitting empty for most of the year, or being bought up by landlords for commercial letting.
“The increase in the Additional Dwelling Supplement will help to redress that balance by adding an extra disincentive for those thinking of buying a second home, making it easier for younger people in particular to buy their first home.
“It will also raise tens of millions of pounds to keep our public services going during this cost of living crisis. That money will come overwhelmingly from those who are already wealthy enough to be able to buy extra properties, something totally outwith the reach of most people.
“Many young people are locked into expensive private renting for much longer than they would wish. A lot of them would far rather own their own home, so this change is also about reducing generational inequality.
“Shifting the balance away from multiple property-ownership towards first time buyers will be a very positive outcome of this change.
“It sits alongside other measures such as the rent freeze, introduced by the Scottish Greens, and new powers for councils to crack down on the spread of short term AirBnB style lets, all of which will contribute to addressing the inequality in our housing sector.”
Photo Credit: Scottish Green Party
Oh dear
The tax will not even raise enough to change Gaelic road signs.
And if you wonder why there’s a lack of rental properties in scotland, and the ones that are left are very expensive, you can thank Mr Greer.
Tax tax tax…that’s aw you hear about they’ll be taxing tax soon.
Silly wee boy playing at politics. Who elected these Marxists disguised as environmentalists.
All aboard the Green gravy train https://t.co/Y17lQHTsR4
John Rafferty finally someone with common sense on this issue. Mr Greer is on record that landlords contribute nothing to society, apart from the 340,000 that they house and now with an increase tax on new properties to house people, not including the tax on the profits made. By comparison, Mr Greer appears to be lacking in HIS contribution to society.
It’s the usual story Daniel – people who have contributed nothing to society or the economy, criticising and attacking those who do…
It’s not a new problem and has always existed in society, but in recent years a higher number of these small-minded people seem to have turned themselves into career politicians. Now there is a swathe of them in the Scottish Parliament making critical decisions that normal sensible hard working people don’t want and don’t agree with!