A Dolgellau woman wants Gwynedd to reconsider its council tax premium on second homes for locals.

Debbie Kojs told the Cambrian News she understands why it has been introduced, but there should be some consideration for people who both live in the county and also own property to let out as holiday accommodation.

“I understand that this is about keeping houses for local people,” Debbie said, “but I think they need to differentiate between people from away and locals who are trying to run a business.

“This is affecting so many of us in the tourist industry in the middle of what has been a horrendous year. I can’t believe they can do this in the midst of a pandemic and people are already struggling.”

Debbie bought a one-bedroom cottage in Dolgellau in January 2020, “which needed a lot of work doing to it”.

“I bought it with the view of holiday letting it as soon as it was ready to give us a bit of extra income so I could continue to work part-time and be at home with my two young children.

“Unfortunately the pandemic hit and I was unable to start letting it until the summer, and with subsequent lockdowns I have not met the minimum 70 nights occupancy to apply for business rates and have been landed with this massive bill. I have tried to explain that I would have met the minimum had it not been for Covid restrictions and having to cancel bookings but have not been listened too.

“I also know of people who have inherited family homes which are inhabitable but, at this time, they cannot afford to make them habitable and have had huge bills because they are empty.

“It’s disgraceful that they can do this, especially at this time and that they make no effort to distinguish between locals trying to run a business and true second home ownership.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Recent research shows that 60 per cent of local people are priced out of the housing market in Gwynedd. At the same time, Gwynedd has the highest percentage of second homes in Wales.

“Our priority as a council is to address this situation and to help ensure a suitable supply of housing for local people to live in their communities. As part of these efforts, Gwynedd councillors decided to increase the council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty properties from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for the 2021/22 financial year. This decision is expected to generate an additional £3m of additional tax yield to be earmarked for the expansion of the council’s housing strategy – this is in addition to £8.3m to provide housing for young people in our communities which has been generated through the 50 per cent council tax premium over the past three years. Whilst it would not be appropriate for the council to discuss individual cases, our officers would be happy to discuss and resolve any unclear circumstances direct with the relevant taxpayers.”