Rules to force empty second homes in Wales onto the market risk destroying the self-catering holiday industry, business leaders have warned.
Last year, the Labour Welsh government demanded that businesses let their properties for 182 days a year, and are available to let for 252, or revert to paying council tax as an empty second home. The threshold in England is 70 days let and 140 available to let.
Once reverted to council tax, each Welsh council has the option to charge an additional 300% council tax.
A survey by the Professional Association of Self Caterers UK said only 51% had hit the 182 days’ let target in the year to March 2023 and only 25% thought they would reach the target in the year to next March.
