A new survey has revealed strong support for changing the existing council tax bands and charging a higher rate of tax for homes not occupied all year-round.

the 2015 Homeowner Survey, conducted by the HomeOwners Alliance, shows what housing policies are supported by the general public.

The survey shows that 70% of people support Labour’s proposals to charge more council tax for homes that are not lived in full-time, with 68% supporting a new higher rate of council tax for homes worth over £2m.

The public also support government initiatives to help firstt0me buyers, according to the survey results, with 65% saying they would like the Help to Buy deposit scheme to be extended. The Starter Home Initiative was also supported by 65% of the public.

Less popular polices were Right to Buy, with only 42% saying they agreed with the scheme, and building on Green Belt land even if it has minimal environmental or amenity value.

Paula Higgins of the HomeOwners Alliance said: ‘People strongly believe homes are for living in, not speculating with or leaving empty. With an acute shortage of housing, the priority for the public is to ensure that those who want to own the roof over their head are not at a disadvantage to foreign buyers and those who have second homes.

‘Too many people are struggling to get on the housing ladder, and often end up feeling the system isn’t fair – it is time that politicians acted to level the playing field. Homeowners are pragmatic about increasing taxes on higher value properties, but clearly prefer it to be done by introducing a new higher-rate band of council tax, rather than the so-called mansion tax, an entirely new tax on property imposed by national government.’