Latest news with #holidayhomes
The Guardian
41 minutes ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Tell us: have you recently succeeded in buying a home in a UK holiday hotspot?
House prices in various UK holiday hotspots have plunged since some local authorities have introduced higher council tax charges on second homes or holiday lets, and many owners of such properties have put their homes on the market. Despite lower prices for homes in areas such as coastal Cornwall, Dorset, parts of Wales and other UK resorts, many homeowners have been struggling to sell in these areas – even though borrowing has become cheaper and UK lenders have relaxed their mortgage stress tests following changes to Bank of England guidance in March. We'd like to hear from people who have been trying to buy a home in one of the UK's popular holiday areas. Have properties in your area become affordable for you in recent months? If you have actively been trying to buy a property in such an area but have not yet succeeded, tell us why. We're also keen to hear from people who have recently bought a property in a popular UK resort, whether a first home, primary residence, second home or investment property. Share your experience or concerns. Finally, we'd like to hear from people who have been trying to sell their second home or holiday let in such an area recently. Tell us about your recent experience of trying to buy a home in a UK holiday resort, whether properties have become affordable for you or not in such areas, and if you've recently bought a property in such an area. Please include as much detail as possible Please include as much detail as possible Please include as much detail as possible Please include as much detail as possible Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. Contact us on WhatsApp at +447766780300. For more information, please see our guidance on contacting us via WhatsApp. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service instead. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
BreakingNews.ie
25-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Ireland's 67,000 empty holiday homes: Find out how many are in your area
Are holiday home owners contributing to Ireland's housing crisis? That was the question raised this week when a senior official in Co Mayo called for a 'boycott' of people who own second homes. Advertisement Tom Gilligan, Mayo County Council's director of services for housing, initially called for a community-led initiative targeting people who own holiday homes, describing it as "demanding accountability" from property owners. "It is about trying to get these underutilised, vacant, empty homes back into use," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Wednesday, invoking the historical connection between Mayo and Captain Boycott, whom he characterised as an absentee landlord. However, Mr Gilligan later apologised for "any concern or distress" caused by his proposal. In a statement released by the council on Thursday, he said he was "deeply committed to addressing the complex housing challenges facing Mayo and to working collaboratively with councillors, stakeholders, and the community in doing so". Advertisement Despite the controversy, Mr Gilligan's comments succeeded in highlighting a growing concern backed by concrete data. The 2022 Census revealed a striking trend: holiday homes in the Republic increased by almost 8 per cent between 2016 and 2022, reaching nearly 67,000 properties nationwide. This growth occurred against the backdrop of the State's well-documented housing shortage. The Central Statistics Office defines these "holiday homes" as dwellings that remain unoccupied during the census but are used periodically, typically during summer months. Crucially, they are not classified as vacant homes, meaning they sit outside any policy interventions targeting empty properties. Coastal counties like Kerry, Donegal, Cork and Galway have the highest concentrations of holiday homes. Advertisement In some areas, the numbers are staggering: holiday homes comprise 65 per cent of all housing stock in places like Kilkee in Co Clare and Derrynane in Co Kerry. The statistics present these communities with a fundamental challenge: balancing their tourism-driven economy against local housing needs. In the UK, the authorities have decided to tackle the issue through taxation – house prices plunged in some parts of Wales after the introduction of a 150 per cent council tax premium on second homes. Scotland has implemented supplement taxes on second home purchases, making it more expensive to acquire holiday properties. Advertisement The rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb has also blurred the lines between holiday accommodation and permanent housing stock. Interestingly, recent research suggests that these platforms may not be the primary driver of rental shortages that many assume them to be. A study published last month by the Economic and Social Research Institute found no correlation between increases in Airbnb activity and declining new tenancies between 2019 and 2023. 'This does not mean that Airbnb activity has not had a detrimental impact on the private rental sector (PRS) in specific local markets, but it does not appear to be the root cause of the observed falls in available PRS accommodation nationwide,' the report said. Advertisement Instead, they identified reduced market turnover as a key factor, with many tenants choosing to stay put rather than face higher rents elsewhere or because homeownership remains out of reach. The Government has acknowledged these concerns and plans to introduce a register of short-term letting properties by summer 2026. This system would require landlords to obtain change-of-use planning permission before listing entire houses and apartments on platforms like Airbnb, particularly in designated rent pressure zones. Officials estimate this register could redirect 12,000 properties from the tourism market back into long-term rental accommodation. Whether this measure, combined with other housing initiatives, will meaningfully address the complex housing crisis remains to be seen.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The best Airbnbs in Spain that you CAN stay in this summer - and how to tell if your holiday let is legal
This week, Spain 's Ministry of Consumer Affairs ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday homes from its platform as part of a crackdown on illegal listings. Spain ordered the online holiday lets giant to remove the listings on Monday, with Pablo Bustinduy, Spain's Consumer Rights Minister, saying: 'No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country.' The minister said his goal was to end the 'lack of control' and 'illegality' in the holiday rental industry - the country is currently facing a housing crisis as construction has failed to keep up with demand. The worst affected destinations appear to be cities, including tourist hotspots Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga; the latter has 85 per cent of flats in its historic centre linked to tourism lets. Where does the move leave your summer plans if you fancied heading to Britain's favourite holiday destination? The good news is that there are still plenty of properties right across Spain - including the Balearics and the Canary Islands - listed on Airbnb's website that are perfectly legal and do have the required registration. How can you tell? Look for the required eight digit 'registration number' - made up of letters and numbers - on listings. Tourists can find the code at the bottom of the page entitled 'About this space', which usually appears in a 'show more' grey box at the end of the property's initial description - if you can't see it, it's likely the let falls foul of Spain's requirements. Here's a selection of Spanish properties that all have registration numbers on their pages... so, what are you waiting for? Vamos! MALLORCA Villa Sylvia, Pollença This three-bed rustic villa with a pool sits in beautiful Pollença, on Mallorca's north-eastern coast. Sleeping six guests, there's two bathrooms and a large covered terrace for al fresco dining - visitors can pick up delights at the weekly food market in Pollença. Other highlights nearby? Puerto Pollença, just a few miles east, has gently sloping golden sands that are perfect for families with younger children. Book it: From £438 a night, based on August departures MENORCA Ses Milans Villa Sleeping ten, this huge villa sits in rural splendour close to Menorca's second city of Mahon. There's five bedrooms, an outdoor bar, pool and beautiful beaches nearby. Inside there's stylish muted blue interiors, with all mod cons including wi-fi, a built-in sink bar and air con. IBIZA ' Country house with views ' Fancy a rustic bolt-hole just for two on the White Isle? This one-bed couple's retreat sits in Can Surya, in the northern part of Ibiza. Nearby beaches include Benirras or Puerto de Sant Miquel and tranquility is guaranteed. One former guest described it as 'one of the best airbnbs i've stayed in my many years of traveling'. BARCELONA Serviced boutique next to Rambla The registration number on this gorgeous apartment is front and centre in its listing, offering reassurance that this Barcelona holiday let is legit. The period apartment sleeps six in three bedrooms, each of which have a bathroom each - even better, Barcelona's most famous shopping street is just outside. Book it: From £364 a night in peak season SAN SEBASTIAN La Concha This elegant two-bed property in Spain's most famous foodie town, just 15 miles from the French border in the country's north, boasts views of its winsome crescent bay. Sleeping four, there's bold modern artwork on the walls and a bright and airy island kitchen in the offing too. A stay in Donostia – as the city is known to locals - comes with gourmet dining opportunities galore, including San Seb's famous pintxo, the Basque region's refined take on tapas. Book it: From £501 a night CANARY ISLANDS Tenerife Finca la Mandarina Just a ten-minute drive from Tenerife's otherworldly Teide National Park, Finca la Mandarina is far from the madding crowds and has a 4.99 review score. Sleeping six guests across three bedrooms, this white-washed modern property is set on a 3,000m2 farm. There's one large villa, sleeping four, and another sleeping two - so ideal for grandparents wanting to travel on a family getaway.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
9 coastal homes a stone's throw from the beach
When the sun comes out there's no better place to be than beside the seaside – ideally unwinding on a beautiful beach. Whether you're relocating within the UK or hunting for a holiday home abroad, check out these coastal properties, each with a beach in easy reach. A new community of spacious two- and three-bedroom villas in a pretty fishing village just over an hour from Faro airport. They are suitable for use as permanent residences or second homes and hug a hillside that gently slopes down to a sandy beach. All have balconies and terraces, and amenities include a swimming pool with children's section, a playground, padel courts and an outdoor gym. By Kronos Homes. B-listed Holborn Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1862 and originally comprised two keepers' flats with a tower and its warning light above. It ceased operating in 2003 and three years later was bought by the current owners who converted it into a unique home looking out over Scrabster beach and harbour and towards Orkney. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the ground floor, a living, living and dining room occupy the first floor, and the three-storey tower contains an office, observatory and external viewing platform. Through Galbraith. Read more: 9 apartments with impressive outside space Spinnakers is a modern art deco-inspired house a short walk from the village's sandy beaches. The main living areas are on the first floor to maximise the panoramic views of St Michael's Mount and out to sea, and it has three ground floor bedrooms, a self-contained annex in the basement, and a fabulous roof terrace with tons of room for socialising and a contemporary pod for shelter. Get in touch with Rohrs & Rowe. Set against a backdrop of mountains and overlooking Cardigan Bay, Plas Tanwg has direct access to Llandanwg beach where there's a family-run café. The contemporary crescent-shaped house incorporates four bedrooms suites, a one-bedroom annex and a vast open plan kitchen, living and dining area with wall-to-wall bifold doors. Find out more from Jackson-Stops. This three-bedroom apartment is on the top floor of a purpose-built block with direct access to three and a half miles of golden beach at Saunton Sands. It includes three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sleek kitchen and an open plan living area with three sets of double doors opening on to a full-width balcony. The shower and dog-washing area in the garden are bound to be very useful. Via Knight Frank. Read more: 8 luxury homes for big-budget buyers You're unlikely to find a home closer to the shoreline than this roomy villa, part of a terrace with its own stretch of private beach which only residents can use. Completely refurbished using natural materials throughout, the house features a grand entrance hall, four bedrooms and a 40-foot long all-in-one kitchen, living and entertaining area. Full height sliding doors lead out to a wide beach-level deck and you can watch the sun setting over the sea from the rooftop terrace. Through Fine & Country. Once the home of entertainer Max Bygraves, Panaroma House sits on a clifftop on the edge of Sandbanks, Britain's priciest coastal location. The 7,300 of living space includes seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, three reception rooms, cinema and games room, and the garden contains several areas for sitting and enjoying the views. A footpath moments from the front door winds down to the promenade and its Blue Flag sandy beaches, though it's a steep climb up. From Savills. Read more: 9 celebrity homes with star quality The largest villa in an exclusive gated resort on the island where the third series of The White Lotus was filmed. Overlooking a coral cove, it has eight bedrooms, huge open plan living spaces and an infinity pool and comes fully furnished. Residents have use of a private beach and services such as chefs, personal trainers and yoga instructors if required. For more information Visit Samujana. Privacy and proximity to the sea are among the many attractions of Villa Monte Carlo, built in a prime location in a village known for its crystal clear waters, beach and snorkelling. This traditional Mediterranean-style house is fully geared up for indoor/outdoor living and a steady stream of visitors, incorporating expansive entertaining areas, south-facing terraces, a swimming pool and a bathing platform. With a main bedroom suite, three guest suites and a second floor tower room that could be used as a study or extra bedroom, it sleeps at least 10 people in the lap of luxury. Via Engel & Volkers. Read more: The world's 10 best cities to live in revealed How to choose where to live as you get older The pros and cons of getting a mortgage into your 70s
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
9 coastal homes a stone's throw from the beach
When the sun comes out there's no better place to be than beside the seaside – ideally unwinding on a beautiful beach. Whether you're relocating within the UK or hunting for a holiday home abroad, check out these coastal properties, each with a beach in easy reach. A new community of spacious two- and three-bedroom villas in a pretty fishing village just over an hour from Faro airport. They are suitable for use as permanent residences or second homes and hug a hillside that gently slopes down to a sandy beach. All have balconies and terraces, and amenities include a swimming pool with children's section, a playground, padel courts and an outdoor gym. By Kronos Homes. B-listed Holborn Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1862 and originally comprised two keepers' flats with a tower and its warning light above. It ceased operating in 2003 and three years later was bought by the current owners who converted it into a unique home looking out over Scrabster beach and harbour and towards Orkney. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the ground floor, a living, living and dining room occupy the first floor, and the three-storey tower contains an office, observatory and external viewing platform. Through Galbraith. Read more: 9 apartments with impressive outside space Spinnakers is a modern art deco-inspired house a short walk from the village's sandy beaches. The main living areas are on the first floor to maximise the panoramic views of St Michael's Mount and out to sea, and it has three ground floor bedrooms, a self-contained annex in the basement, and a fabulous roof terrace with tons of room for socialising and a contemporary pod for shelter. Get in touch with Rohrs & Rowe. Set against a backdrop of mountains and overlooking Cardigan Bay, Plas Tanwg has direct access to Llandanwg beach where there's a family-run café. The contemporary crescent-shaped house incorporates four bedrooms suites, a one-bedroom annex and a vast open plan kitchen, living and dining area with wall-to-wall bifold doors. Find out more from Jackson-Stops. This three-bedroom apartment is on the top floor of a purpose-built block with direct access to three and a half miles of golden beach at Saunton Sands. It includes three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sleek kitchen and an open plan living area with three sets of double doors opening on to a full-width balcony. The shower and dog-washing area in the garden are bound to be very useful. Via Knight Frank. Read more: 8 luxury homes for big-budget buyers You're unlikely to find a home closer to the shoreline than this roomy villa, part of a terrace with its own stretch of private beach which only residents can use. Completely refurbished using natural materials throughout, the house features a grand entrance hall, four bedrooms and a 40-foot long all-in-one kitchen, living and entertaining area. Full height sliding doors lead out to a wide beach-level deck and you can watch the sun setting over the sea from the rooftop terrace. Through Fine & Country. Once the home of entertainer Max Bygraves, Panaroma House sits on a clifftop on the edge of Sandbanks, Britain's priciest coastal location. The 7,300 of living space includes seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, three reception rooms, cinema and games room, and the garden contains several areas for sitting and enjoying the views. A footpath moments from the front door winds down to the promenade and its Blue Flag sandy beaches, though it's a steep climb up. From Savills. Read more: 9 celebrity homes with star quality The largest villa in an exclusive gated resort on the island where the third series of The White Lotus was filmed. Overlooking a coral cove, it has eight bedrooms, huge open plan living spaces and an infinity pool and comes fully furnished. Residents have use of a private beach and services such as chefs, personal trainers and yoga instructors if required. For more information Visit Samujana. Privacy and proximity to the sea are among the many attractions of Villa Monte Carlo, built in a prime location in a village known for its crystal clear waters, beach and snorkelling. This traditional Mediterranean-style house is fully geared up for indoor/outdoor living and a steady stream of visitors, incorporating expansive entertaining areas, south-facing terraces, a swimming pool and a bathing platform. With a main bedroom suite, three guest suites and a second floor tower room that could be used as a study or extra bedroom, it sleeps at least 10 people in the lap of luxury. Via Engel & Volkers. Read more: The world's 10 best cities to live in revealed How to choose where to live as you get older The pros and cons of getting a mortgage into your 70sError while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
