THE number of houses bought last year in Waverley as second homes or properties to rent out increased by a third on the previous 12 months, figures show.

According to HMRC data, second-home buyers - including property investors and landlords buying houses to rent out - were undeterred by new taxes on extra properties.

Last year, 21 per cent of the properties sold in Waverley were classified as second homes. Around 480 were bought in the financial year 2017-18, with a combined value of £279m - an increase of 33 per cent since 2016-17, when around 360 second homes were bought in Waverley.

It comes despite an extra three per cent stamp duty charge on additional properties, introduced in April 2016 as part of a government effort to deter buy-to-let landlords, property investors and second home owners.

In England, almost one in four properties bought last year were classified as second homes. Around 232,000 second homes were bought, with an estimated value of more than £70bn.

The National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, said it was concerned about the impact that buying extra properties has on local communities.

Policy leader Will Jeffwitz said: “In any community, if more homes are bought up as second homes then there are fewer available for residents - and the houses left are more unaffordable.”

He added: “If families and young people are priced out of their local communities it can have a hugely demanding impact on community life - with village shops, schools and pubs closing in alarming numbers as a result.”

The NHF praised the Government for reducing stamp duty for first time buyers, but urged that more investment was needed in social housing.

In total, around £53m was collected from stamp duty in Waverley last year. HMRC figures suggest that duty on additional dwellings made up 35 per cent of that amount.

According to Waverley, there are around 1,700 applicants on its housing register but only 300 council homes become available each year.