The owners of a wooden beach hut in Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire, were hit with a council tax bill of almost £4,000 after it was classed as a second home – despite it not having a lavatory.
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “It’s high time Labour ministers in the Senedd step in and put forward proper guidance to clear up these apparent inconsistencies and end the perception of a two-tier system.
“Labour’s wrong-headed and excessive council tax premiums do little to free up genuine housing stock for locals. If Labour was serious about ending the housing crisis in Wales, they would build homes where people need them, with a focus on city densification.”
Owners of chalets at the Smugglers Retreat in Burton Ferry, Pembrokeshire, now have to pay £3,750 a year in council tax.
While there are no restrictions on their residency, owners say the small properties are not fit to be used all year round. The properties were built specifically as holiday chalets more than 50 years ago and were not deemed a part of the county’s main housing stock.
Situated at the end of a private road, the owners pay for their own bin collections, share laundry facilities and have no private outdoor space.
Despite this, the owners currently pay three times the typical rate of council tax. Claire Reed, 55, and husband Jerry, 58, have considered selling their chalet as a result, only to find there is little interest, partly because of the effect of the premium on the housing market.
Mrs Reed said: “We have to endure the injustice we feel through gritted teeth whilst still contributing handsomely to a Government who obviously doesn’t want us or appreciate the benefits we bring.
“We are so upset as we have invested 16 years of holidays where we have only ever used local trades, always shop there, visit pubs, eat ice cream and tell everyone how wonderful Pembrokeshire is, whilst constantly being ostracised.
“The main purpose of this tax is to force people to sell up but our property is not appealing to anyone seeking full-time living. We bought it as a holiday home and never felt at any time that we were buying a ‘regular’ house. The council is so obstinate, refusing to accept our property as an anomaly.”
The premium was first introduced by the Welsh government to increase housing supply amid concerns local people were being priced out of their communities.