Since April 2023, self-catering properties must be available for 252 days and actually let for 182 days each year to pay non-domestic rates instead of council tax. The rules were brought in to ensure property owners make a fair contribution to their local community.

The Welsh Government is seeking views on 2 key changes to the way the rules are applied, to give the sector extra stability:

• Allowing holiday let owners to use an average of 182 days let over several years. This means those who narrowly miss 182 days letting in the latest year would remain on non-domestic rates if they had achieved it on average over 2 or 3 previous years.
• Allowing up to 14 days of free holidays donated to charity to count towards the 182-day target.

The consultation also asks whether councils should consider giving businesses more time to adjust, such as a 12-month grace period before they may have to pay higher council tax rates when they move from non-domestic to domestic classification.

The consultation can be found at Proposed refinements to the classification of self-catering properties for local tax purposes | GOV.WALES

Closing date for responses is 20 November 2025.

The Scottish Government has published a consultation on the enforcement of the Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework.

The consultation is looking at views on making a Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework (TASF) legally enforceable. 

Consultation Questions

Question 1. Do you think the physical standards set out in the TASF are appropriate and sufficient to ensure that temporary accommodation provides an adequate, safe and secure space for the household?

Question 2. Please tell us whether there are any additional physical standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 3. Do you think that the definition of the physical standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 4. Do you think that any of the physical standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 5. In 2020, article 7A was inserted into the Unsuitable Accommodation Order 2014. This set out circumstances where community hosting, rapid access accommodation and shared tenancy accommodation is deemed NOT to be unsuitable accommodation, provided that the household does not include a pregnant woman, a child or a person who exercises parental rights in respect of a child who does not form part of the household. Do you think that the accommodation prescribed under article 7A provides suitable accommodation for certain homeless households?

Question 6. Do you think the location standards set out in the TASF set out are relevant and fit for purpose?

Question 7. Please tell us whether there are any additional location standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 8. Do you think that the definition of the location standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 9. Do you think that any of the location standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 10. Do you think the service standards set out in the TASF are relevant and fit for purpose?

Question 11. Please tell us if there are any additional service standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 12. Do you think that the definition of the service standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 13. Do you think that any of the service standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 14. Do you think the management standards set out in the TASF are relevant and fit for purpose?

Question 15. Please tell us whether there are any additional management standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 16. Do you think that the definition of the management standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 17. Do you think that any of the management standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 18. Do you agree that the TASF should be legally enforced?

Question 19. Do you agree that it would be appropriate for the TASF to be included within the Charter when it is reviewed in 2027?

Question 20. Do you agree with the proposal for the SHR to monitor social landlords’ performance of the TASF?

Question 21. It is possible that some local authorities may not be able to meet the new TASF when introduced. Do you think that there should be sanctions, such as penalties or fines, applied to those local authorities that fail to meet the TASF?

Question 22. Please tell us about any other approaches or options you think would be appropriate to implement to ensure that local authorities/RSLs adhere to the TASF.

Question 23. Do you agree with the proposal to review, and update as necessary, the TASF broadly in alignment with the review of the Charter?

Question 24. Do you agree with the proposal for a formal evaluation of the implementation of the TASF after three years?

The consultation can be found at A consultation on the enforcement of the Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Closing date for responses is 28 January 2026.

The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) are seeking your views on the future of council tax in Scotland.

Council tax is a vital source of funding for local services such as schools, social care, roads, libraries and waste collection. The council tax system has remained largely unchanged since its introduction over 30 years ago.

This consultation forms part of a joint programme of work led by the Scottish Government and COSLA which is seeking to build consensus on reforms to council tax. The aim of this consultation is to gather views from individuals, households, communities, and organisations across Scotland on potential approaches to reform.

The key areas under consideration include:

• Updating the market reference point (currently based on values as at 1991) to reflect current market values and modernise the tax base.
• Exploring approaches to revaluation, including localised revaluation where band thresholds could differ by council area to reflect local housing markets.
• Introducing options for new council tax bands at the top and bottom of the scale to ensure the system is more progressive and proportionate, or to smooth the differences between tax rates.
• Considering transitional measures such as phased implementation and deferral options to help households adjust to any changes, as well as reductions to support lower-income households.

The findings from this consultation, together with the wider programme of engagement, will help support informed public debate and further consideration in the Scottish Parliament.

The consultation can be found at The Future of Council Tax in Scotland - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Closing date for responses is 30 January 2026.