Call made to stop rich ‘hoarding’ properties

Reducing the number of second homes in Stirling could help to tackle the housing crisis says a local MSP.

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, says making it harder for the wealthy to “hoard” homes by increasing their tax is crucial to tackle the issue in Stirlingshire.

The most recent data from the Scottish Government shows that second homes and short-term lets make up 2.5 per cent of all housing in Stirling. This is higher than the national average (1.8 per cent).

A housing emergency has been declared across Scotland and over 10,000 children are in temporary accommodation.

Second homes are more common in areas of natural beauty, including Callander, Aberfoyle and Bridge of Allan. In many cases young people are forced to leave the communities they have grown up in due to housing shortages and high house prices caused by second homes and holiday lets.

Mr Ruskell says the Scottish Greens have already taken action to reduce the spread of holiday homes and short term lets, doubling the tax paid when buying a home for these purposes and giving councils the power to double council tax on these properties.