'We face losing everything after Wales holiday lets rule change'

IN 2023, Kerry Maisey ploughed all her money into buying four holiday lets in Parkmill, Gower.

- RUTH MOSALSKI

Kerry Maisey ploughed all her money into buying four holiday lets in Parkmill, Gower but now fears a change in Welsh Government rules will cause her business to close. She is pictured with Swansea councillor Robert Francis-Davies.

(SWANSEA COUNCIL)

For her, it is somewhere with a special connection. When she was growing up, the Gower was the only place she had a holiday.

She wanted to own somewhere that could, at an affordable price, give others the opportunity of a holiday somewhere she had such fond memories of.

But since buying the properties, the Welsh Government's rules about holiday lets have changed, and it has not only had a hugely detrimental impact on her personally, but could mean having to let go the business she has built up and lose everything she has invested.

Since April 2023, self-catering properties must be available to let for 252 days and actually let out for 182 days each year. Otherwise, the owners have to pay council tax, rather than business rates.

In 2023-24, their one-bed property was let for 168 days, their three two-bedroom properties were let for an average of 126 days. In 2024-25, the one-bed property was let for 194 days, but the two-beds for an average of 159 days.

For Kerry, the difference is huge. In 2023-24, the business rates due was £334, rising to £706 in 2024-25 and £709 in 2025-26. Now their first bill since the rule change has landed, it shows they owe £5,048 in 2023-24, £5,377 the following year, and £5,708.

It means instead of the £1,749 they budgeted for, their bill is now more than £16,000.

She has since met with Swansea council, and praised their pragmatism since their backdated bills arrived, but has called on the Welsh Government to change the law to reflect properties like hers.

She said the regulations as they stand as "inflexible".