Ukrainian Woman in Scotland Faces £9,000 Council Tax Bill for Kyiv Flat

A Ukrainian woman residing in Scotland faces a potential £9,000 council tax charge due to her ownership of a flat in Kyiv, Ukraine. Oksana Dsekun, who sought refuge in Edinburgh following the conflict, lives with her partner and children, but the local council has indicated that her Kyiv property constitutes a 'second home' for tax purposes.

Ms Dsekun's flat in the Ukrainian capital is currently occupied by her parents, who remain in the country. She registered the property as her primary residence in Scotland shortly after her arrival, initially without issue. However, she has now been notified that because she still owns the Kyiv property, it is classified as a second home, triggering a substantial tax liability under council regulations.

This situation highlights a potential oversight in the administrative processes for refugees fleeing conflict zones who retain property in their home countries. The classification as a second home, regardless of the active conflict and the inability to reside there, forces an unexpected financial burden on individuals already displaced by war.