A new survey by Sykes Holiday Cottages reveals a significant shift among second homeowners in England who currently do not rent out their properties. Faced with rising costs, new tax rules, and council tax surcharges, 71% of these owners are now more likely to consider letting their properties to holidaymakers or long-term tenants.

The research found that over half (56%) of these owners are considering short-term holiday letting, while two in five (39%) are exploring long-term rental options. A smaller number (20%) are thinking of selling their second homes altogether.

Currently, these properties are primarily used for personal or family use (52%), but they often sit empty for a large part of the year. With an estimated 280,000 un-let second homes in England, Sykes suggests there is an “untapped potential” to benefit local communities. If these properties were regularly let to tourists, they could generate up to £10.5 billion a year in local tourism spending.

A spokesperson for Sykes notes that while policy changes are rightly aiming to address local housing needs, holiday letting offers a way for these otherwise empty properties to contribute to the community and support local jobs and businesses that depend on tourism. The firm highlights that holiday letting could generate an average annual gross income of £24,700 for owners, providing a strong financial incentive to make better use of their second homes.