BCP Council to charge full council tax on beach huts worth up to half a millions pounds
Beach hut owners at Mudeford Spit are set to pay full second-home Council Tax, after BCP Council announced plans to scrap a long-standing discount
Owners of beach huts at Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head are set to face higher council tax bills under new plans announced by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
From April 1st, the authority will charge full second home council tax on more than 340 huts, ending a long-standing 50% discount.
The move is expected to raise an additional £211,000 a year to help support under-pressure local services.
The council says the change reflects the true nature and value of the huts, many of which sell for between £400,000 and £575,000.
Under the new arrangements, they will be formally classified as Class A second homes – properties that are furnished, not a main residence and used for part of the year.
Owners would see their annual bill rise to around £1,503, which is just over £60 a month, once the discount is removed.
BCP Council says the decision replaces legacy arrangements inherited from the from former Bournemouth and Christchurch councils and brings the huts into line with council tax rules applied elsewhere.
Just over 340 huts will be affected, with 231 owned by people who do not live in the BCP area.
The authority says it is facing mounting financial pressure, with early analysis of the government’s provisional local government funding settlement suggesting it will receive less funding than expected next year.
Cllr Mike Cox, cabinet member for finance, said councils across England were dealing with an “unprecedented, ongoing financial crisis”.
“As a result of this severe financial pressure, the council must use all levers at its disposal to raise funds to protect essential services important to our residents,” he said.
He added that while the council welcomed visitors, popular coastal areas created extra costs for services such as beach cleaning and flood protection, which were largely paid for by local residents.
“Beach huts on Mudeford Spit often sell for more than the average house price in BCP, yet historically owners have been given council tax discounts,” he said.
“This change delivers fairness and consistency for all owners of second homes in the area.”
The council acknowledged the move may disappoint some hut owners but said applying council tax policy consistently was necessary to protect vital local services.