“If you visit places like Port Isaac, Mousehole, or St Mawes during the winter, you could fire a gun there and not hit anyone; they’re so filled with second homes,” remarks Dave Hunter, 70. He emphasizes that the escalating ownership of second homes in Cornwall has led to considerable challenges for local residents. In his family’s situation, this trend has forced his 45-year-old daughter, her husband, and their child to move back in with him.
“My daughter was paying £800 a month in rent while earning between £30,000 and £35,000 a year, making it impossible for her to save for a mortgage,” Mr. Hunter shared with The i Paper. “The only solution was to extend our house so she could move in with her family.”
To accommodate his daughter’s family, they demolished their garage and built an extension with an additional floor on top. This renovation cost £120,000, financed through a mortgage taken out by his daughter. In Newquay, where their village St Columb Minor is located, mortgage prices start at over £250,000, a sum that is simply out of reach for his daughter and her partner, who run an arts agency.
Mr. Hunter noted that this situation reflects the struggles faced by many young people in Cornwall. “I know numerous 30-year-olds who are still living with their parents,” he revealed to The i Paper. The issue of second home ownership in Cornwall has been escalating for decades, with Cornwall now being considered the second home capital of England. By various estimates, around one in every 20 homes in the area serves as a second residence.
Many locals attribute the housing crisis in Cornwall to the influx of second homes and holiday rentals, which have led to skyrocketing demand, soaring property prices, and local residents unable to secure homes of their own. In September 2021, there were approximately 10,000 Airbnbs in the area, while fewer than 50 homes were available for rent.
“Too many families are being pushed out of their communities due to the conversion of rental properties into second homes and holiday lets,” stated Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, an organization advocating for renters. “Since 2019, the number of holiday homes in Cornwall has increased by about 10 percent. In the same period, the average cost of private rents in Cornwall surged by nearly nine percent between 2024 and 2025, which is twice the rate of wage growth.”
Mr. Hunter conveyed a sense of frustration among the local populace regarding second home ownership, particularly among younger residents under 35 who are striving to enter the property market. “There’s a palpable anger. It’s not like the 1970s when people might have resorted to drastic measures, but there are plenty of stickers around town expressing discontent. One notable sticker features the Cornish flag, with the words ‘fk your second home’ in each corner,” he explained.
Rising Concerns and Tax Measures
A resident of Cornwall since 1978, Mr. Hunter has witnessed an exponential rise in second home ownership over the years. Mawgan Porth, another picturesque location along the Cornish coast, has seen an influx of high-profile individuals, including actress Cate Blanchett and the CEO of Innocent Smoothies, who are both building homes in the area. “I can only assume both properties will remain unoccupied for the majority of the year,” he commented. “The entire Mawgan Porth area is undergoing extensive development; whenever a property goes on the market, it’s quickly bought and demolished to make way for new constructions that won’t be lived in by residents.”
In an effort to address the housing crisis and deter second home ownership, several councils are set to introduce additional tax charges on second residences starting in April. Cornwall is among 150 local authorities—predominantly located in scenic areas and holiday destinations—that will impose a 100 percent council tax charge on second homeowners. This could result in extra costs ranging from £2,460 to £4,920 for some property owners.
However, some second homeowners are reportedly exploiting loopholes to circumvent these tax increases, such as transferring properties into their children’s names or listing homes for sale without any intention of actually selling them. This situation has understandably irked local residents. Mr. Hunter mentioned that he has heard of individuals attempting to evade the tax hike. “For instance, one house down the street is a second home owned by a farmer from Dorset who has registered that property on the electoral roll as his primary residence to pay less council tax,” he explained.
