The removal of what the government describes as a ‘tax loophole’, means landlords who let out holiday properties as businesses could be looking at an annual bill of £1,000 more a year.

At the moment, second home owners in England can declare their intention to let their properties to other holidaymakers and qualify as a small business, meaning they’re eligible for business rates instead of the more expensive council tax.

Now, Housing Secretary Michael Gove has announced that second home owners can only register for business rates if they can prove they let the properties for at least 70 days in a year.

Gove’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities commented that there has been a large increase in holiday lets in England, with around 65,000 residential units registered.