North Yorkshire to tackle rise in second homes with council tax premium

Seaside towns of Scarborough and Whitby will be among first in England to double tax under levelling up bill

The seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough will be among the first in England to double council tax on second homes to tackle the blight" of holiday lets.

Councillors said the rise of Airbnb and other rental sites was tearing the heart out of communities", as they voted to introduce a 100% premium on owners of second homes in North Yorkshire.