For almost 30 years, the owners of the 344 beach huts at Mudeford Sands in Dorset have enjoyed a 50% discount on their second home council tax. But that discount is about to end, much to the dismay of the tight-knit community.
“It’s so unjust we are being targeted,” says Stephen Bath, a professional photographer whose family has owned a beach hut since 1964. Based on 2025/26 charges, the council tax for the huts will increase from £618 to £1,236 per year – a move the owners are calling an “unjustified money grab” by the cash-strapped local council.
The huts, which range from basic wooden shacks to luxury cabins with solar panels and modern interiors, have seen their prices balloon in recent years, with some now fetching up to £575,000. But the owners argue that they should not be treated the same as owners of traditional second homes, as the huts lack basic amenities like electricity and running water.
“For many of us, we have stayed here for generations in the family, and this is our second home,” says Bath. “Plain and simple, this is a cash grab by the council and it will impact those like us who won’t be able to afford the £100-a-week cost of fees and council tax. I think it’s clear we’re going to see more people selling up.”
Councillor Mike Cox defends the decision, saying it “delivers fairness and consistency for all owners of second homes in the area.” But the beach hut association argues that the owners already pay significant fees to the council and contribute to the maintenance of the facilities, which enhance the area for visitors.
With the prospect of higher costs, some hut owners are already looking to sell, fearing the tax increase will further dampen interest in the market. Hayley Reynolds, who is selling her family’s hut for £430,000, says “the council have realised there is wealth they can get at. But not everyone is in the same position; some of us are just lucky to have a hut in our possession, and would never be able to afford one now. The extra tax will only make it harder to sell.”
As the Mudeford community braces for the financial impact, the debate over the council’s decision continues, with both sides asserting their positions on this unique and contentious issue.
