Householders in England will have to pay more council taxes if their properties have scenic views, golf courses or sea nearby. Homes with conservation areas or open spaces too could see hike in bills, according to media reports.
The Valuation Office Agency, which carries out revaluations, has asked its officials to gather data on homes having views, large patios among other things.
The Conservative local government spokesman, Caroline Spelman, who got hold of the documents from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said that the new proposals were "more punishing than ever". "This is the latest stealth tax - it's a tax on the view from your house rather than a fair charge for local services," she added. While the Tories oppose the revaluation, the Liberal Democrats want abolishment of the council tax.
The Government deferred a revaluation which was supposed to take effect in 2007 to 2010. It reportedly feared criticisms from the middle-class over increased council tax bills. MPs will be asked to approve a Bill on Monday to delay this revaluation. According to a spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, "VOA's good work will provide a firm foundation on which to build.” The last revaluation was carried out in 1991.
The Valuation Office Agency has, however, said: "Specific things like a sea view will only have a bearing if they have a significant influence on the overall value of the property."
Currently, council tax is calculated on the basis of eight bands. For instance, owners in a top-rate band like H property will have to pay twice as much as people on band D.
Documentation available from John Prescott's Office of the Deputy Prime Minister estimates that the whole revaluation task will cost at least £105 million. £45 million will be spent on a new "computer-assisted mass appraisal system" which aid officials in tracking specific details on every property in England.
Posted
on : Tue, 08 Nov 2005 08:25 GMT | Politics News
By : Mike Lawson
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