Air B n B Council Tax Charges

[Simone2064]

Good Afternoon

We are in the final stages of property renovation to begin air b n b and was not aware of the new law coming into effect in April 2025 to charge double council tax on second homes furnished and would appreciate any advice please from other fellow air b n b hosts and how to manage this, our property is in West Yorkshire.

Many thanks

[Rebecca]

Hello @Simone2064 👋

A great conversation starter here. Is this a UK wide law or county specific? 

I'd like to invite a few other UK hosts to the conversation who may have some more information or can offer support advice: @Livia120, @Chamitha0, @Beverley120 & @Abi010 i hope you don't mind me tagging you into the chat. 

Looking forward to hearing from you, 
Rebecca ⭐

[Simone2064]

Hi @Rebecca 

This is UK specific due to come in April 2025 would welcome any input and advice.

Many thanks

Simone

[Abi010]

The link that was sent by @Helen3 , is the latest law, that will commence next year, but it will depend on each council how it will be charged. the advise is for you to contact your specific council as suggested in the link. I will wait until then, to see how its going to affect you.

Also, i wouldn't think Airbnb will have any say, when it comes to a law of a country.

Happy hosting

[Helen3]

Hi @Simone2064 

I'm not sure what you mean by how you manage this ?

i would start by checking if your local authority has this charge and whether you would be eligible to pay business rates instead.

goverment guidance is here https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/second-homes-and-empty-properties

[Simone2064]

Hi @Helen3 

Apologies if it wasn't clear maybe it should say how air b n b propose to manage this going forward.

I have seen the information regarding business rates and the criteria that you have so many nights thank you for the link.

[Helen3]

Sorry still confused -  what you pay in Council Tax is nothing to do with Airbnb @Simone2064 

It's a business expense that you as the business owner need to allow for when calculating your costs. 

[Jake665]

Did Simone get any clarity on this ? I think what she was asking (which I have also been trying to find out) is if air bnb properties will attract 100% increase in council tax because they are in effect the owners second property.  Thank you

[Rebecca]

Hey @Jake665 👋

I'll tag @Simone2064 here and hopefully they'll be able to pop by and share if they did get any further info on this. 

Quick tip: if you type "@" and then the username, this will tag the member that you're replying to. 

[Ace4063]

Hi @Simone2064 @Jake665,

Depending on the new imposed law, and how it would affect your earnings, its either you increase your nightly rate, or put an information in your listing that Guests should pay an amount due to the new Tax Law. Make sure that the Guest is completely aware of this to avoid any issues with them, and that they must pay for the (X) Amount through Airbnb Resolutions center. You can also add this information in the message you will be sending them. 

Either of these suggestions may help you cover some of the costs of the Tax Law and retain your target finances.

If any issue that may occur with the Guest being unable to pay the Tax Fee, contact Airbnb Support. They can help you out with this matter.