Second home owners might feel 'penalised' but they won't be able to duck out of paying a 100pc council tax hike imposed on their properties.
West Norfolk councillors have voted to impose the charge on second properties from next year - despite fears it could target "the little guy" and harm the local economy.
In Burnham Market - dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea because of the number of well-heeled Londoners with second properties - the current Band D "average" council tax is currently £2,110 a year, while the most expensive Band H charge is £4,220.
Both are set to increase after councils have finished setting their budgets for 2024/25.
Sam Sandell, who is ward councillor for the village, said: "People have told me they feel penalised for having a second home.
"Not all people who have second homes are wealthy. Some people have inherited them or invested their money wisely in a second property, they're not people who have bags of cash.
"I don't think they should be penalised."
A West Norfolk council spokesman said properties which are second homes were already recorded on its council tax system so it would know which properties to apply the premium.
"There will also be future data matching exercises against other data sets, such as credit reference data, to establish where a property may be an undeclared second home," he added.
"We already have processes in place to check properties which are shown on our records as empty, but suddenly become ‘occupied’ when there is a financial disadvantage to the owner, such as the long term empty levy being applied."
Those found submitting false information face a £70 penalty charge. The chances of "flipping" your properties - declaring your second home your main residence to duck the charge - are also fading, with even local authorities far inland including London boroughs planning similar increases to bring in badly needed revenue.
Paula Higgins, chief executive of lobby group the Homeowners Alliance, said: "Well over half of councils are planning to use these powers.
"You're not going to get around it if the council where your primary residence is is also raising the council tax."
Where will the extra money go?
West Norfolk's premium will raise an extra £6.5m.
Just £230,000 of this will go to parish councils, of which there are 101 in the borough.
West Norfolk's share will come to £440,000.
Norfolk police will receive £930,000.
Norfolk County Council will be the biggest beneficiary, receiving £4.9m.
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