Written question WQ99956
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Finance
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to relaxing the 182-day occupancy threshold for self-catering accommodation businesses affected by recent wildfires in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance (Elin Jones)
The criteria used to classify self-catering properties for local tax purposes are prescribed in legislation. Refinements to the application of the 182-day letting threshold were confirmed and introduced by the previous Welsh Government earlier this year. An average of the days let over the past two of three years may now be taken as evidence of compliance, where 182 days letting is not achieved in the latest year. This provides flexibility for operators and supports stability for those who may occasionally fall short by a narrow margin (e.g. due to a temporary drop in demand resulting from circumstances beyond their control).
I have also published a statement and consultation on our approach to reviewing the 182-day threshold and proposed exemptions.