🏠 Revealed: The number of second homes being hit with council tax premium
Plus: Police release CCTV image in investigation of alleged attempted robbery, and beach at the Warren to shut for months to allow for railway engineering work
Council tax premium on second homes to raise more than £2 million from hundreds of properties
Owners of second homes are set to pay more than £2 million in additional council tax this financial year following the introduction of a premium for unoccupied properties in April.
At the start of this month there were 882 properties across the district liable for the premium due to the fact they were substantially furnished and there was no one residing there. The premium effectively doubles the council tax by adding a further 100% surcharge to the amount that would be paid if the property were occupied.
In total, the extra charge made on those properties would bring in an additional £2,047,621.43 in council tax, with £242,939 going to Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
The 2025/26 financial year is the first year in which the council tax premium on second homes can be imposed by local authorities. The power to raise the additional revenue was introduced by the previous Conservative government’s Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
Last month the Dispatch revealed the council’s soaring bill for temporary accommodation as more people facing homelessness sought assistance from the authority. As of May 15, there were 95 households in temporary accommodation in the district.
In addition to the 882 second homes liable for the additional charge, there were 151 with an exemption. These can be granted for a number of reasons, for example if the property is marketed for sale or let, if the owner lives elsewhere due to military service, or if the property is in probate following a death.
A council spokesman said: “By introducing a premium, it is expected owners of those properties not in constant use may be encouraged to [bring them] back into use for local residents.”
The issue of second home ownership, as well as the proliferation of short-term holiday lets, is likely to increase in salience locally following last week’s decision by the council’s planning committee to approve controversial plans for the construction of hundreds of homes at the harbour.
There are fears that, as well as being unaffordable for locals, a significant number of the new apartments could be snapped up by investors, not as primary residences but as second homes or properties to offer for short-term let on platforms such as Airbnb.
In August last year, KentOnline reported that a previous ban on the short-term rental of properties at the Shoreline development—the first completed stage of the overall transformation of the seafront and harbour area—had been lifted. A spokesman for the development told KentOnline: “The strategy at Shoreline Folkestone has evolved.”
A search of Airbnb reveals numerous properties in Folkestone for short-term bookings, including a one-bedroom flat in the Shoreline development listed at more than £200 per night.
Independent district councillor Bridget Chapman, who recently quit the Labour party, addressed last week’s planning committee as a public speaker opposed to the harbour plans. She said: “We all recognise the urgent need for housing. However, building flats like these does nothing to fix our housing crisis.”
The Dispatch asked Cllr Chapman about the introduction of the second home premium in April, and she said that although it is a step in the right direction the government should go even further to clamp down on ownership of second homes and holiday lets through the tax system.
“A home is a basic need, not a luxury,” she said. “To treat housing as an investment, accumulating multiple properties—including those dedicated to short-term rentals—disregards its fundamental purpose: shelter.
“I am pleased to see our council implementing the second home premium, but I believe we need to go much further at a national level. A progressive taxation system applied to second homes, and properties used primarily for short-term letting, could both discourage this antisocial practice and generate vital funding for the development of much-needed council housing, ensuring everyone has access to a secure and affordable home.
“When homes sit empty between guests, or are solely used as investment vehicles, they undermine the availability of secure housing and contribute to a society where community well-being is increasingly compromised.”
Despite the law introducing the second home premium being passed under a Conservative government, the party has now accused Labour of failure in implementation of the new tax-raising powers.
Speaking to The Telegraph, shadow housing minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “This tax should be used to keep council tax bills down, or to build affordable housing. Labour is doing neither of these. Labour is using this tax as a club to hammer middle England.”
Earlier this month Sir Grant Shapps, a former Tory housing minister, gave his backing to a Telegraph campaign against the charge and called for the premium to be paused in “areas where markets are seizing up and tourism is taking a kicking”.
Have you been affected by the housing crisis in Folkestone? Are you struggling to afford housing locally? I would be interested in hearing about your experiences. Email rhys@folkestonedispatch.com in confidence.
News in brief
🚨 Police officers investigating an attempted robbery in Folkestone have released an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. The incident is alleged to have taken place at around 7.30pm on Friday, May 16. It is reported that a man was pinned against a wall on Rendezvous Street and threatened. A spokesman for Kent Police said: “An investigation is ongoing and detectives have since been working in the area, reviewing local CCTV and speaking to potential witnesses. Officers are now able to release an image of a man they would like to speak to.” Anyone with information should call 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/82210/25.
🌊 The western beach at the Warren is to be shut to the public until the spring to allow for engineering work designed to protect the railway line between Folkestone and Dover. The work will start next month and is expected to be finished by March 2026. It will see the sea defences alongside the tracks strengthened with 18,000 tonnes of rock armour brought in by barge. David Davidson, South Eastern Railway’s chief operating officer, said: “The railway line will not close and trains will still run whilst we undertake the work but the path along the beach will be closed during the length of the repairs.” Network Rail is hosting a drop-in session to inform the community about the work today, June 25, between 11am and 6pm at Folkestone Baptist Church in Hill Road.
💼 A new member has been appointed to the board of trustees overseeing the work to restore the town’s historic Leas Lift. Tom McGarry, a lifelong resident of the town, currently works as an associate director of business development at Holiday Extras. Mr McGarry, pictured below, said: “I’m a Folkestone boy and very proud of its history—and excited about its future. The opportunity to be part of such a momentous project was an irresistible challenge. I’ve always wanted to give back to the town and be involved in its progress, and the Leas Lift captures so much of what makes Folkestone special.”
What’s on this week
🎙️ It’ll be like the 90s never went away at the Leas Cliff Hall on Saturday, June 28, as the Spice Girls Experience comes to town. The show, which starts at 7.30pm, promises a party atmosphere as the performers bring to life all the hits from the era of ‘girl power’. You can get your tickets here.
🎸 Folkestone-based singer-songwriter Lucy May Walker will be hosting her latest writers round at the Music Workshop in Folkestone on Sunday, June 29, from 4-6pm. The event is inspired by the writers rounds of Nashville, which see a number of performers on stage at the same time, taking turns to play their songs and tell the stories behind them. These sessions often sell out, so grab your tickets as soon as you can here.
🎵 The Friends of the Royal British Legion Community Choir will be performing at the bandstand on The Leas at 11am on Saturday, June 28, to mark Armed Forces Day. The choir will then perform at a private lunch for veterans at the Clifton Hotel which is being hosted by the town council.
🎞️ Adventure movie The Mummy will be showing at the Harbour Arm on Friday, June 27, as part of this year’s free summer cinema programme. The 7pm screening is completely free to attend, you don’t need a ticket, and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. You can find out more about this and other upcoming events at the Harbour Arm here.
📖 The Folkestone Bookshop will be hosting its regular Storytime session tomorrow, June 26, at 11.30am. Bookseller Erin will be reading several stories perfect for little ones. The tales will be best suited for children up to five years old, but everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available for both kids and adults and there is no need to book in advance, just turn up and enjoy the stories.
Do you have an event in Folkestone you would like to promote in a forthcoming edition of the Dispatch? Send details to us and we’ll help spread the word!
That’s all from me this week. As always, keep spreading the word about the Dispatch, and hopefully we’ll continue to see the readership grow through the summer. And if you have a story you think I should be covering, do drop me a line.
Next week’s newsletter will be in your inboxes at the same time next Wednesday.
All the best, Rhys
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