'What more can I do... drag people in off the street and say you've got to stay here?'

Holiday lets owner Sally Howdle says new Welsh rules have 'taken her livelihood' and left her with a £21,000 bill.

- Owen Hughes reports

> A stunning view of Criccieth. Inset, left, Sally Howdle, 76, and, right, Gwion Llwyd, owner of Dioni Holiday Cottages

IN 2016, Sally Howdle converted former B&B rooms in her Gwynedd home into two small self-catering studio apartments to supplement her retirement income.

She spent thousands of pounds to do the work and her plan was to live out the rest of her days at the property opposite the castle in Criccieth.

But this all changed when new holiday let rules came into force in Wales.

Prior to 2023 owners of holiday lets had to make properties available for let at least 140 days of the year - and actually let for 70 - to qualify for business rates, which generally meant low or no rates bills.

From 2023 the criteria changed and lets had to be available for at least 252 days and actually let for 182 to qualify.

Those who don’t reach that threshold pay council tax instead - often also paying a sizeable second home premium of up to 300%.

The idea was to crackdown on those who were using the business rates loophole to avoid paying council tax and support local buyers trying to live in their communities.

But the major hike in the threshold has caught out many genuine holiday let owners - with around 40% failing to reach the target.

One of those is Sally, 76.

In 2024, her apartments were let for 142 and 144 nights respectively, welcoming more than 100 guests over the course of the year and contributing to local shops, restaurants and visitor attractions.

But as each property fell short of the 182-night threshold, both were liable for council tax and a second-home premium.

Sally was issued a bill of £7,795 for last year alone. Over three years, her total liability has risen to £21,598.

She says she does not generate sufficient profit to meet those charges and has now closed the business.