A Cumbrian MP has called on a minister to close a 'loophole' that he says allows second-home owners to avoid paying council tax.
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, says property owners who let out their houses for just 70 days a year can qualify for small business rates relief instead.
He challenged the housing minister to end the practice in the House of Commons this week.
Mr Farron also asked Matthew Pennycook to grant councils the power to limit the number of second homes in their communities.
Speaking during Housing, Communities, and Local Government Questions, Mr Farron said: "Will the Minister look at closing the loophole that allows second-home owners - people who are well-off enough to afford more than one home - to dodge paying any council tax whatsoever by letting their property as a short-term let for up to 72 days per year?
"Not only do they pay no council tax, but because they are a small business, they pay no business rates either.
"Thousands of my constituents are working their socks off to pay the council tax to subsidise people like that.
"That is wrong, isn’t it?"
The MP also urged the minister to introduce a separate planning use category to make short-term lets "easier to control".
Responding, Mr Pennycook said: "The honourable gentleman is well aware of what we have already done on furnished lettings exemption.
"We look at taxation in this regard and keep it under constant review.
"We have had a long discussion on this issue over many years, but I am more than happy to continue the conversation with him."
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