Nelson Mortgages

Many people that intend to buy property in rural countryside hotspots may no longer be able to have these homes as holiday or weekend homes, as new regulation may mean that they either have to live in the property as their permanent residence or may have to rent the property out all year to tenants. Buyers intending to buy property in rural hotspots may now have to get planning permission even on existing properties, and if they are refused they may have to move into the home or rent it out to tenants.

According to government officials this is a move that is being considered for two reasons. The first is that much of the countrywide is being spoiled by properties that are only used on occasion when owners decide to go there for a weekend or a short break. Another reason is that with the properties remaining empty for the best part of the year many local businesses are suffering such as local shops and post offices, because there are fewer customers due to the properties being unoccupied.

Those that are buying exiting country homes in order to use them as occasional or holiday homes will also need to get planning permission to have the use of the property changed from a permanent residence to an occasional residence. Democrat MP Matthew Taylor, said that the government needs to take steps to crackdown on planning permission, and he is the one that has put the report together.

However, a Tory official slated the move, stating: ‘Requiring planning permission for second homes would be intrusive and difficult to implement. This is a recipe for negative equity. The last thing the housing market needs at the moment is more government red tape.’

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