Mark Drakeford admitted he owns a holiday “chalet” just as the Welsh Government launched a crackdown on second homes and holiday homes. At a press conference this week, Mr Drakeford and Plaid’ Cymru’s Adam Price promised to help first-time buyers by reducing the number of second home owners in Wales. When asked about a chalet he and his family own in Pembrokeshire, however, Mr Drakeford said the property “doesn’t count as a second home” as it cannot be lived in all year round, although he admitted he had used a second home in the past. . “Most people will be familiar with this, if you have a caravan you can take it in between March and October but not the rest of the year,” he said. “I have had, or our family has had, I think it will be 27 years this year, a chalet in Pembrokeshire occupied on the same terms. You can occupy it some of the time, but not the rest of the time.’ Price, who has two homes – one in Cardiff and one in his constituency – said he was looking forward to “streamlining” his life once he left politics. “Of course, I’ve stayed in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation in Wales and other parts of the world,” he said. “You’re not going to say this is wrong, but find a balance.” The plans announced on Monday include changes to planning regulations by the end of the summer, a statutory licensing system for all holiday rentals and plans for local authorities to increase land transfer tax rates on second homes and holiday rentals. Mr Drakeford said: “Tourism is vital to our economy, but having too many holiday properties and second homes, which are empty for much of the year, does not contribute to healthy local communities and takes people out of local housing market. “There is no single, simple solution to these issues. Any action we take must be fair. We do not want to create any unintended consequences, which could destabilize the wider housing market or make it harder for people to rent or buy.” However, Mr Drakeford said properties such as his ‘chalet’ were exempt from council tax premiums. In March, the Welsh Government announced plans to increase the maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax premiums on second homes and long-let properties from 100% to 300% in April 2023. This year premiums were paid on 23,000 properties, according to the government’s website. Under current rules, properties that are available to let for at least 140 days – and are actually rented for at least 70 – pay rates instead of council tax. This limit will increase in April next year, meaning properties will have to be available to rent for at least 252 days and actually rented for at least 182 a year. Mr Drakeford said the crackdown on second homes was not intended to discourage holidays or tourism.
