Holiday homeowners in the Highlands are exploiting a loophole to avoid council tax payments. Council tax on second homes in the region has risen to 90% since 2005, with the extra cash going towards affordable housing schemes. But the number of properties re-classified as self-catering units, exempt from the charge, has risen from 1,906 to 2,578. Highland Councillor Dr Michael Foxley, reportedly said: ‘We need to minimise the concealment, and need more information about where funding has gone.' He added: ‘With the possible change in future to a local income tax, we need to make sure we maximise our income from holiday homes which are a real blight in some areas.'
