The Professional Association of Self Caterers is launching a campaign to demand a change in minimum occupancy rules for holiday lets in Wales, which must be let for 182 days to qualify for cheaper business rates.

Previously,  holiday lets had to be made available to let for at least 140 days and let for 70. This was changed to 252 and 182 respectively in 2023.

PASC says that when it surveyed its members, they said the minimum occupancy target was almost impossible, with only 25% believing they would hit it this year, leaving many not only facing the higher council tax, but some also having to pay the 200% second home rate.

Impossible

Members also complained that it made it very difficult to plan their finances, as they would only know their tax liability and their occupancy numbers at the end of the year.

The BBC reports that one farming family, who had previously been encouraged by the Government to diversify into offering self-catering lets, had been hit with a £37,000 council tax bill after failing to meet the 182-day requirement.

Welsh PASC spokesperson Nicky Williamson (main image) warns that without the “bed stock (self-catering properties), we don’t have the facilities for tourists to stay”.

If there are no tourists, they’re not going to survive.”

And, if tourism failed, she added, “then the number of people that are employed in tourism, they will start to lose jobs – the pubs, the cafes… if there are no tourists, they’re not going to survive.” In Wales, there are currently around 159,000 people employed in the sector.

A Welsh Government spokesperson told The BBC, that: “We recognise the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy but must balance that with the needs of our communities, as everybody has a right to a decent, affordable home to buy or to rent that allows them to live and work locally.

“Our package of measures to tackle the impact of second homes and holiday lets helps ensure owners are making a fair contribution in areas where they have homes or run businesses.”