Perthshire MPs clash over short-term lets and second homes issue
Perth and Kinross MSPs clashed this week over the issue of second homes and short term lets in the region which are more than twice the national average.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell insisted tax rises on the wealthy would reduce the number of second homes and short-term lets and tackle the housing crisis, but Conservative Murdo Fraser said the solution was building more houses in rural areas and accused his Mid Scotland and Fife colleague of wishing to punish second home owners.
According to Scottish Government 2024 figures second homes and short term lets in Perth and Kinross make up 3.9 per cent of all housing in the area - more than double the national average of 1.8 per cent.
The region has 1083 second homes and 1875 STL licences - 2958 combined or 3.89 per cent out of 76,136 dwellings.
As of March 2023 there were 3312 people on the application list for social housing in Perth and Kinross with an average of 1000 properties becoming available for rent each year.
Mr Ruskell pointed out that tax rises on the wealthy would reduce the number of second homes and short-term lets in Perth and Kinross.
He commented: 'The fact that we have just under 3,000 second homes and short term lets in Perth and Kinross, which is more than double the national average is a major reason why this crisis is so much worse locally.
'Wealthy people buying up properties they won't live in are pushing out young families in particular.
'These houses either lie empty for most of the year as holiday homes, or they are hoarded by landlords making a fortune from Airbnb-style short term lets. Either way, its first-time buyers who are pushed out by those with much more financial muscle.
'This is a crisis which can clearly be solved. We'll only do that by taking on the wealthy few, those who pay very little tax while hoovering up the houses which other people need.
'The Scottish Government must listen to us and act boldly to stop the hollowing out of our communities.'
But Mr Fraser said: 'With their customary attachment to the politics of envy, the Scottish Greens want to punish second home owners by fleecing them for even more tax.
'This will do nothing to solve the housing crisis in rural areas, which can only be fixed by more house building in the private and social rented sectors - and this means a new policy approach in terms of planning, infrastructure and incentives.
'Sadly whilst the Greens were in Government in coalition with the SNP they did nothing to fix these fundamental issues, and instead now resort to cheap headlines.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said this week: 'Tackling the housing emergency remains an urgent priority for the Scottish Government and we are supporting local authorities to quickly identify properties and bring them back into use.
'We recognise that local areas have different housing needs, which is why we legislated to give councils the power to levy higher council tax on second homes and empty properties.
'Giving councils these levers can help create a fairer housing and taxation system and ensures they have the flexibility to strike the right balance in the use of housing to meet local needs and to support thriving communities.
'Our £3.7 million investment has so far brought almost 11,000 privately owned homes back into use since 2010 and we will invest a further £2 million next year to help councils unlock barriers and develop a targeted approach to empty homes.'
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