DaBouncer Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 I got this from another forum but is apparently written in todays telegraph. I'm just curious to know others opinions on this? Having a nice view or living next door to a golf course are going to cost householders more in council tax under Labour plans. Taxpayers are set to be charged hundreds of pounds extra a year if they are in a conservation area, next to an open space, have a swimming pool or tennis court or enjoy full or partial views of the sea, hills, mountains, lakes or rivers. Extra charges are also expected to be levied on homes with more bedrooms than average, conservatories, large patios or gardens, roof terraces or balconies. Homes in "gated communities" will also face higher bills. Official documents show that ministers are going to extraordinary lengths to build a detailed database of properties across England, with the intention of placing them in a higher council tax band. Last night Caroline Spelman, the Tory local government secretary, described the proposed new regime as "more punishing than ever". She added: "This is the latest stealth tax - it's a tax on the view from your house rather than a fair charge for local services." The charges will come in after a long-awaited revaluation of each property in England and will take into account the huge rises in property values since the last valuation in 1991. Earlier this year, ministers postponed the revaluation, which was originally set for 2007, fearing a backlash from middle-income voters in the South, who are expected to face the highest rises. However, MPs will tomorrow debate plans to let ministers begin the revaluation at a time of their choosing, and effectively without further parliamentary scrutiny. Detailed documentation from John Prescott's Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, shows that the exercise will cost at least £105 million. Of this, £45 million is going on a new "computer-assisted mass appraisal system" which will help officials to obtain specific details on every property in England. Properties will be described in great detail using "value-significant codes" to make an assessment for revaluation. Some of the code descriptions, such as living on a "small plot" or on a "main or busy road", having a cesspit, not having street lighting or living near a radio mast or pylon, suggest that certain households will be moved down a band and face lower bills. However, there are many more codes which appear to add value to a property, including some to denote four different sizes of balcony and roof terrace, living beside a park or on a quiet road or cul-de-sac, in a penthouse, or near convenient public transport. A whole range of details - from "equestrian facilities" to patio size - will be tabulated. No fewer than 10 "value-significant codes" detail a range of possible views that a property can offer. Analysis of the revaluation in Wales last year suggests that, in England, the owner of a benchmark Band D property will face an extra £267 on their bill if they go up one band and £534 if they go up two. A Band D property is one valued in 1991 at between £68,001 and £88,000. Homes in other bands get bills which are proportionately higher or lower. Miss Spelman said: "The new computer system has been designed to enable John Prescott's department to identify homes with garages, greenhouses, large patios or gardens, near a golf course or in a conservation area. "These characteristics will then be used by Labour to increase council tax on homes by pushing them into a higher council tax band. This is just the latest stealth tax. It can only mean even higher taxes on hard-working families and pensioners, without any improvements in local services." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 I think the story is a spoof. For a start there isn't a Guardian published on Sunday.............................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melthebell Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 yeah just read that in todays papers we live near the sea, hills, open fields, doesnt mean we CAN pay more for the priviledge, and just because you live somewhere nice DOESNT mean we use more council resources, may even be the opposite, theres a lot of pensioners and low paid workers / unemployed round here too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melthebell Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 Originally posted by Longcol I think the story is a spoof. For a start there isn't a Guardian published on Sunday.............................. it wasnt in the guardian but it was in one of the papers i bought today for the free dvds independent maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBouncer Posted November 6, 2005 Author Share Posted November 6, 2005 Originally posted by Longcol I think the story is a spoof. For a start there isn't a Guardian published on Sunday.............................. Ooops I meant telegraph (just been over to other forum to confirm) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodameister Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 Umm, Council Tax is based on the value of your property, and all those things have an effect on the valuation of a property. What's the big deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melthebell Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 Originally posted by Yodameister Umm, Council Tax is based on the value of your property, and all those things have an effect on the valuation of a property. What's the big deal? WHATS THE BIG DEAL?? its supposed to pay for things like council services (which you dont use more of - we use less of if anything) just because im working doesnt mean i can afford to pay more more more, im only on about £5.15 an hour, pensioners are even worse off, we already pay over a grand a year where will it end, up up up up year after year, squeezing every last spare penny out of us, yet wages dont keep up, so obviously theres gonna be a point when we oew more out a year than we get coming in a hell of a lot of people here live in council / landlord houses who still have to pay council tax but dont get the benefit of selling a house in a higher valuation bracket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodameister Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 Originally posted by melthebell a hell of a lot of people here live in council / landlord houses who still have to pay council tax but dont get the benefit of selling a house in a higher valuation bracket I'm not saying I agree with it but resale value of a property is not what you are being taxed on. That's called stamp duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 It is in the Independent Hopefully not having street lighting, mains sewage, a reliable electricity supply, mains gas or a bus service within two miles should work in our favour; - and from past experience the emergency services will attend by appointment only, provided we supply a grid reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berberis Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 So the only people who will benifit are the government and that bloke who lives in an old shed down the road! What can I say .... this government AGAIN is giving everyone a right royal screwing! There is one sure fire way to stop them .... STOP VOTING FOR THE B*****DS!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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