 The figures show an increase of 1,000 properties for rent |
The affordable homes crisis in Cornwall is being made worse by a new loophole in the law, according to a Cornish MP. Truro and St Austell Lib Dem MP Matthew Taylor said many second-home owners claimed properties were holiday lets.
He said by filling in a government form they could convert to paying business rates and claim a new small business rate relief, saving up to �400 a year.
Mr Taylor said figures showed a drop in second homes, but also revealed an increase of 1,000 properties for rent.
'Priced out'
During a debate in Westminster on Tuesday, Mr Taylor argued to MPs that the explosive growth of purchases of homes in Cornwall for holiday use was worsening Cornwall's housing crisis for local people.
Mr Taylor said the official figures showed a "shocking rise in former family homes in Cornwall being converted to part-time holiday homes".
He said: "Meanwhile, Cornish families are being priced out of housing, worsening an appalling crisis of homelessness for local people."
Mr Taylor added that that the high levels of unoccupied houses was having a big impact on local services, which might become unsustainable through lack of use.
In response, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said the government took the affordability and availability of housing very seriously.
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