Second homes: Holiday let owner says legislation would 'destroy me'

A man who runs four holiday cottages on his property said he will be "forced into bankruptcy" if he ever retires because of rules on holiday lets introduced by the Welsh government three years ago. Paul Martin, who lives near Newtown in Powys, said the cottages, two of which are "restricted to holiday use", are "very close" to his home making them unsuitable to be sold as separate residential homes. But under the law, self-catering holiday accommodation that is not let for 182 days a year can be treated as a second home and subject to council tax, in some cases at a premium rate. The Welsh government said "many operators are exempt from the premium rate" if their property has a restriction and from April 2027 properties being transferred into council tax will have a year at the standard rate before becoming liable for a premium. Martin said he faces paying five sets of council tax this year, two at a premium of 75%, adding that his business was "unsellable" as a result. "This legislation will destroy me," he said. "I can't see any way to meet these costs when I retire." He moved to the site with this wife and two children in 2007 and runs the main family home as a bed and breakfast