Level of second home ownership plummets in Scotland

The data shows that that the total number of properties officially listed as second homes has dropped from a peak of more than 40,000 in 2012 to under 25,000 in 2018.

There were just over 2,000 second homes in Edinburgh last year, down from a peak of 5,800 in 2012. Figures also plunged in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.

The rate of decline was much lower in the Highland Council area, which now has more second homes than anywhere else.

The total fell from about 4,500 in 2012 to just under 3,900 in 2018.

Commentators have attributed the tumbling amount of dual homeowners to higher taxes on additional properties, the rise of internet short-term lets and a climate of wider continuing economic uncertainty.

A 3% purchase tax – the additional dwelling supplement – was instated in 2016 on all new second and buy-to-let homes worth more than £40,000.

Lothians Green MSP Andy Wightman believes some people are being more business canny about their second homes so they do not appear in statistics.

Mr Wightman said: “There are new patterns of ownership and occupation under which a property can be used both as a second home for its owners and for commercial letting.”