A woman who manages holiday lettings in a seaside resort has said she faces going out of business after the flats were declared to be "second homes". Judith Robbins runs eight self-catering units in one building in Blackpool, which she lets out to families on a tight budget. But in October, the 75-year-old was told six of her Westward Holiday Apartments near North Pier had been reclassified, leaving her with a council tax debt she said she could not afford to pay. The government said people had been given a year's warning that "properties should meet the rules". Mrs Robbins, a great-grandmother, said: "I read in the newspapers about this second homes crackdown, but we never considered for a moment it would impact us. "It really is unbelievable. We've been here over 22 years and I've never once been behind with any of my payments." Under the old rules, Mrs Robbins was billed about £3,500 a year in business rates and received small business rates relief. But the holiday apartments were reclassified as second homes by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)under new tax rules that came into force in 2023. Now, Mrs Robbins is liable to pay about £9,000 a year in council tax. "I don't know what we are going to do… it means we can't afford to stay because they want more money from the flats than we actually take," she said. The tax changes came as part of a government crackdown on second homes and holiday lets,following claims they were limiting the supply of housing in coastal and rural communities. Since the rules came into force, more than 9,000 properties in England have been reclassified. Ian White, from hotel association Stay Blackpool, said he had been contacted by eight other business owners in a similar situation in the town. He said: "It's significantly hit the traditional holiday flats that Blackpool and every other seaside resort in the country relies on. "All of the businesses that have contacted me are considering selling because they don't know where they're going to get the money to cover these new bills." Mrs Robbins said she was appealing against the decision, with the help of her grandson, but had been told the process could take up to six months. Her grandson, Jordan, said: "Nobody wants to help, nobody wants to get involved. "This legislation needs to change or businesses and people's lives will be affected." The VOA, which will adjudicate on the appeals until it is scrapped in 2026, told the BBC it was "acutely aware of the difficult economic situation faced by some customers". A spokesman said the agency was "currently dealing with a high volume of cases" and apologised to those experiencing delays. A Blackpool Council spokesperson said the authority had been contacted by "many operators of self-catering holiday accommodation" who had been affected by the changes and it had advised them to contact their MP for support. They added: "If we receive evidence that an appeal has been submitted, the income recovery process will be put on hold for 90 days. "If their case isn't resolved within this time, we advise them to get back in touch so we can discuss an extension." Blackpool South MP Chris Webb told the BBC he had raised Mrs Robbins' case with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner. Labour MP Webb said he "understands the significant pressure this is putting on small, long-standing operators like Judith Robbins". "I will continue to press for a fairer, more responsive system," he added. But in areas like the Lake District, where second homes or holiday lets can account for more than 50% of the housing in some places, the rule change has been seen as necessary. Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: "Communities like ours in the Lakes and the [Yorkshire] Dales have a situation where so many of the properties that could be lived in by local families are either second homes occupied by people who hardly live there at all, or are short-term lets. "You get a situation where so many properties are gobbled up by non-permanent residents that there is nowhere for local people to live. "You lose your primary schools, secondary schools, GPs… you lose your communities." But Farron said he did have sympathy for the Robbins family and those in a similar situation. He said the current system was "far too complicated" and called for wider planning reform. A government spokesman said: "We believe it is right properties should meet these rules." Listen to the best ofBBC Radio Lancashire on Soundsand follow BBC Lancashire onFacebook,XandInstagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
'My £20k bill for holiday lets deemed second homes'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Blackpool Holiday Let Operator Faces Financial Crisis After Tax Reclassification"
Bbc News
7.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Judith Robbins, a 75-year-old woman who manages eight self-catering holiday apartments in Blackpool, faces significant financial distress after six of her properties were reclassified as second homes. This change, enforced by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) under new tax regulations implemented in 2023, has resulted in an annual council tax bill of approximately £9,000, a stark increase from the £3,500 she previously paid in business rates. Robbins, who has operated her holiday lettings for over 22 years without any payment issues, expressed disbelief at the impact of the government's crackdown on second homes, which was intended to address housing shortages in coastal and rural areas. The reclassification has led to a council tax debt that Robbins claims she cannot afford to pay, raising concerns about her ability to remain in business and support her family, including her great-grandchildren. She is currently appealing the decision with assistance from her grandson, although the appeal process may take up to six months to resolve.
The broader implications of these tax changes are evident, as many other holiday letting operators in Blackpool are experiencing similar challenges. Ian White from the local hotel association reported that several business owners are contemplating selling their properties due to the financial strain caused by the new council tax obligations. The government's initiative to reclassify over 9,000 properties in England aims to alleviate housing issues in popular tourist destinations but has drawn criticism for its complexity and the adverse effects on small business owners. Local politicians, including Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, are advocating for a more equitable system to support operators like Robbins. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised in areas like the Lake District, where a high percentage of properties are second homes, leading to a scarcity of housing for local residents. Although some politicians express sympathy for individual cases like Robbins', they also emphasize the necessity of these reforms to protect local communities from being overwhelmed by non-permanent residents.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the challenges faced by a woman managing holiday lettings in Blackpool after her properties were reclassified as second homes. This change has significant financial implications for her business, as she now faces a substantial increase in council tax payments. The narrative focuses on the personal impact of policy changes, which may resonate with other affected property owners and the broader community.
Government Policy Impact
The reclassification of properties from business rates to council tax under new government regulations aims to address the issue of second homes and holiday lets affecting the housing market. By emphasizing the struggles of Judith Robbins, the article sheds light on the unintended consequences of such policies on small business owners. Although the government claims to have provided a warning, Robbins' experience suggests that many, especially those who have been operating for years, may not have been fully aware of the impending changes.
Community Reaction
Robbins’ situation reflects a broader concern shared by other local business owners, as indicated by Ian White from Stay Blackpool. The article mentions that multiple businesses are contemplating selling due to the financial strain caused by the tax changes. This collective struggle hints at a potential decline in the local tourism economy, raising questions about how such policies can disproportionately affect small, community-focused enterprises.
Perception and Trust
The narrative may foster empathy among readers for those impacted by policy changes, particularly in coastal and rural areas where tourism is vital. However, it could also raise skepticism towards government actions perceived as detrimental to local businesses. The use of Robbins' personal story serves to humanize the issue, potentially garnering public support for reconsidering such policies.
Broader Implications
The article could influence public opinion regarding government regulation of holiday lets, especially in tourist-heavy regions. If more individuals relate to Robbins' plight, there may be increased pressure on policymakers to evaluate and potentially revise the current tax structure. This situation could lead to broader discussions about the balance between housing availability and the needs of local economies.
Potential Community Support
The article likely resonates more with small business owners, local residents, and those involved in the tourism sector. These groups may feel aligned with Robbins' challenge, prompting discussions about advocacy for more favorable conditions for holiday letting businesses.
Economic Impact
While the article does not directly address stock market implications, it hints at potential volatility in sectors tied to tourism and local real estate. Businesses that rely on holiday lettings might be under pressure, influencing investor sentiment in related markets.
Global Context
Although the article primarily focuses on a local issue, it may reflect broader themes of housing and tourism regulation seen in many parts of the world. This can connect to ongoing discussions about housing affordability and the impact of tourism on local communities globally.
Regarding the use of AI in crafting such articles, it is conceivable that AI tools were employed to structure the narrative or analyze data trends, although the emotional depth and personal story suggest human involvement in writing. AI might have influenced the presentation of facts or the way the story was framed, but the core of the narrative remains deeply personal.
The article does not appear to manipulate facts overtly but does emphasize a particular perspective that aims to garner sympathy and support for the affected individuals. The emotional language used and the personal anecdotes serve to underline the struggles faced by small business owners like Robbins, potentially influencing public sentiment towards government policies.
In conclusion, the reliability of the article rests on the factual representation of Robbins' situation and the policy changes described. It presents a legitimate concern affecting real people, but the broader implications may warrant a more nuanced exploration of the issue.