The council does not think second home buyers will be deterred

Teignbridge District Council is the latest local authority to make the move, lowering its discount from 50% to 10%.

More than 11,000 properties across Devon are second homes, representing about 3.5% of available housing.

Local councils took a lead in pressing the government to cut the 50% discount on council tax for the second home owners to help raise more revenue locally.

Income invested

South Hams was the first in Devon to make a reduction, followed by Plymouth and North Devon District Council and East Devon District Council.

Now Teignbridge has followed suit and expects to raise a further �73,000 from the council tax as a result. The extra money raised will be invested in crime reduction.

Other Devon councils will discuss the issue in January.

However, Teignbridge council leader Alan Connett said he did not believe it will affect the number of second home owners.

He said of the possibility: "If it does, and that home becomes available to a local resident who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to buy, then that would be a good thing.

"Frankly, I don't think it will deter people from owning a second home, but what it does means is that they'll be contributing to the full costs of what is provided by the local council.

"Whether someone lives there for part of the year or all of it, those costs are there."