Edinburgh's New Council Tax Premium - What does this mean for your second property?
- Mark Lawrie
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Edinburgh Council Tax Premiums (From 1 April 2026)
From 1 April 2026, the City of Edinburgh Council is introducing some of the highest council tax premiums in the UK on second homes and long-term empty properties. The changes are part of a wider push to tackle the city’s housing shortage.
Key headline change:
Second homes: council tax premium rises from +100% → +300%
This means owners will pay up to 4× the standard council tax bill
In practical terms, a property that previously paid double council tax will now pay quadruple.
What Counts as a “Second Home”?
A property is classed as a second home if it is:
Furnished
Occupied for at least 25 days per year
Not the owner’s main residence
If it’s used less than that, it may instead fall under empty property rules.
What Does This Mean for Your Second Home?
If paying quadruple council tax isn't feasible for you, what are the next steps when it comes to renting? At Erskine Property, we want to help you discover the rental possibilities of your property.
Click the link and head to our Free Instant Valuation Tool: https://valuations.erskine.property/
📞 0131 378 1840
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