{"links":{"self":"https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246875.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":246875,"attributes":{"action":"Scrap the council tax \"loophole\": holiday lets should pay their way","background":"In 2024, over 10,000 houses/flats used as holiday lets in Wales paid no taxes whatsoever...no council tax, and no business rates: this is a loss in council tax revenue of about £48 million for that year alone.*\r\n\r\nThe legal \"loophole\" allows the switching over to pay business rates once a rental threshold is reached**. A low rateable value then means the owners get 100% small business rates relief: this means they pay nothing. \r\n\r\nWe want Welsh Government to scrap the council tax \"loophole\".","additional_details":"This petition also aims to inform that: \r\n1. £10,000 Covid-19 payments were awarded to many holiday lets listed on the business rates register;\r\n2. the estimated cost to Welsh Government (2021-2022)  of providing small business rates relief to holiday lets was £17 million ***\r\n\r\nHouses/flats marketed and sold as domestic properties should pay council tax: the number of rental nights is irrelevant. \r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n*FOI info from local authorities in Wales (2024); Band \"D\" council tax (and premium where applicable) used for calculations.\r\n**The Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment of Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022.\r\n***Explanatory Memorandum to the Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment if Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022 , dated 24 May 2022.","state":"open","signature_count":279,"threshold_for_referral":250,"threshold_for_debate":10000,"created_at":"2026-03-01T18:02:38.938Z","updated_at":"2026-08-10T15:33:30.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-03-25T09:34:46.490Z","closed_at":"2026-11-02T23:59:59.999Z","completed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-01T18:31:50.000Z","referral_threshold_reached_at":"2026-07-12T13:34:20.000Z","referred_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"archived_at":null,"submitted_on_paper":false,"submitted_on":null,"creator_name":"Jacqueline Cullimore","rejection":null,"debate":null,"topics":[{"code":"local-government","name":"Local Government"}],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"England","code":"GB-ENG","signature_count":4},{"name":"Scotland","code":"GB-SCT","signature_count":2},{"name":"Wales","code":"GB-WLS","signature_count":273}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"id":"W09000049","name":"Bangor Conwy Môn","signature_count":49},{"id":"W09000050","name":"Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000051","name":"Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd","signature_count":6},{"id":"W09000052","name":"Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf","signature_count":6},{"id":"W09000053","name":"Caerdydd Penarth","signature_count":15},{"id":"W09000054","name":"Casnewydd Islwyn","signature_count":3},{"id":"W09000055","name":"Ceredigion Penfro","signature_count":23},{"id":"W09000056","name":"Clwyd","signature_count":14},{"id":"W09000057","name":"Fflint Wrecsam","signature_count":3},{"id":"W09000058","name":"Gwynedd Maldwyn","signature_count":111},{"id":"W09000059","name":"Gŵyr Abertawe","signature_count":5},{"id":"W09000060","name":"Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000061","name":"Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr","signature_count":3},{"id":"W09000062","name":"Sir Fynwy Torfaen","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000063","name":"Sir Gaerfyrddin","signature_count":25}],"signatures_by_region":[]}}}