"Most boroughs haven't confirmed how much council tax rates will be going up in April (though a few could be increasing by much more than others ). But we do know that some residents in one London borough could be paying twice as much as they did in 2025/26. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is considering doubling council tax bills for second home owners in the area."
"If it goes ahead with the proposals, the borough would follow in the footsteps of the likes of Wandsworth, Westminster and Hackney, which all already have council tax premiums for second homes. The aim of the policy is to raise revenue and discourage properties from sitting empty. So why is Kensington and Chelsea introducing the higher fees, and why now? Well, the proposal comes as the council grapples with an estimated potential £139 million budget shortfall by 2030."
"But it's not just second home owners that could be impacted by higher taxes in K&C. The council are suggestions that some of the it's poorest residents, who currently receive full council tax support, could be forced to pay for the first time. Funding support is expected to be cut by 10 percent for around 8,000 low-income residents and pensioners."
Councils are preparing to set council tax rates for the year from April. Kensington and Chelsea is considering doubling council tax bills for second-home owners, following other London boroughs with second-home premiums. The measure aims to raise revenue and discourage properties from sitting empty. The council faces an estimated potential £139 million budget shortfall by 2030 after planned central government funding cuts. The council is also proposing to reduce council tax support, cutting funding by 10 percent for around 8,000 low-income residents and pensioners, which could force some previously fully supported residents to pay council tax for the first time.
Read at Time Out London
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