More second homes facing extra council tax charge

Second homes in the north of a county will be charged extra council tax from next April.

Properties in the Cherwell district which are furnished but not occupied will be charged in a bid to address housing shortages and bring properties back into use.

The decision follows similar moves by Oxford City Council and West Oxfordshire District Council, both of which introduced second homes taxes in April.

Cherwell District Council said income generated from the premium would go towards local services.

Those who own second homes will pay a council tax premium charge of 100 per cent on top of their regular council tax bill for the property from April 2026.

There are 760 second homes registered in north Oxfordshire, but the government has provided a list of exemptions from the second homes tax.

These include properties that are actively being marketed for sale or rent (with a 12-month limit), second homes that people need to live in due to work, or for seasonal homes where permanent occupation is not allowed.

A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said: "In February this year the council approved to apply an empty homes Council Tax premium.

"This decision allows us to address local housing shortages and affordability issues.

"By applying a premium, owners are encouraged to bring these properties back into use as main residences for local people and income generated from these will be used to support local services."

A Freedom of Information request found the city council expected to raise £1.8 million from its second homes tax.

There are 1100 registered second homes in Oxford as of September 2025.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.