HOME REVALUATION

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Council tax inspectors are being given maths and geometry lessons to help them spy on homeowners. The Government spies are to be taught Pythagoras's Theorem and algebraic equations in readiness for a Labour property tax revaluation. A Government handbook details the formulae inspectors will use to ensure they do not miss a single square foot when they enter people's houses. Under the heading 'phunky formulae' the document explains how to use geometry to calculate areas when irregular shapes are created by bay windows, chimney breasts and loft extensions. It means that no part of people's homes, however small, will escape the new tax net.

Although Ministers insist that the planned council tax revaluation is on hold until after the next General Election, Government inspectors are quietly continuing to build up a database on every home in England and Wales. This will include detailed information about the condition of the property and its internal and external area. It will also take into account location, and proximity to golf courses. It means that when Labour announces its expected overhaul of local taxation, much of the data needed to draw up new council tax bands will already be stored on Government computers.

The information is available for collection now because the Government has a contract with the property website Rightmove to access its archive of sales particulars for homes that have been on the market. When the revaluation is finally given the go-ahead, millions of householders can expect to receive a knock on the door from inspectors equipped with laser measuring devices. The book dubs the so-called "Phunky Formulae' as 'all the formulae you'll ever need and some you'll hope you never use!!' It goes on to reveal the extraordinary detail of the measurements required, "For council tax purposes dimensions should be shown to two places of decimals, areas to one place of decimals."

It explains how Pythagoras's Theorem can be used to calculate dimensions of right-angled triangles - potentially useful for calculating the size of awkward loft spaces and areas created by dormer windows. There is also an explanation of how to use the mathematical constant pi to calculate the area covered by curved spaces. This would help inspectors calculate the space occupied by round bay windows, found in millions of suburban homes. The handbook also explains how to measure the area of irregular four-sided shapes to make sure that odd-shaped gardens or rooms in old houses can be accurately sized up.

The Valuation Office Agency insists it has no powers to force its way into people's homes but admits inspectors would 'sometimes' ask to visit a property 'when the information it needs cannot be ascertained from other sources'. A spokesman said, "This is routine guidance for keeping existing records up to date. That has been the VOA's job since 1993 when the last Government introduced council tax and nothing has changed. Anyone who opposes proper training to carry out routine work is advocating inaccurate valuations which no one in their right mind would want." (Source: Mail on Sunday, Apr/07)

Homeowners who have a nice view or live next to a golf course could pay more in council tax as part of a revaluation of properties. The proposed taxes will apply to homes if they are in conservation areas, next to an open space, have a swimming pool or tennis court or have full or partial views of the sea, hills, mountains, lakes or rivers. It had been intended to revalue every home in England in 2007 in order to update council tax banding systems, following a similar exercise in Wales but the revaluation was postponed, amid claims that it would lead to soaring bills. It is now not expected to take place until 2010 at least.

Extra charges were also expected for homes with more bedrooms than average, conservatories, large patios or gardens, roof terraces or balconies. Quiet roads or cul-de-sacs, penthouses or properties near convenient public transport could also be hit. The Valuation Office Agency, which carries out revaluations, would only say, "The banding for council tax is based on market value which takes account of a number of factors. Specific things like a sea view will only have a bearing if they have a significant influence on the overall value of the property."

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said, "The number of properties moving bands would have depended on the Government's decision about the banding structure that would have accompanied revaluation. And we made no such decision. Preparatory work for a revaluation in 2007 has been stood down, but the Valuation Office Agency's good work will provide a firm foundation on which to build in future." (Source: Mail on Sunday)

Millions of householders face paying a tax of hundreds of pounds a year for parking their cars outside their homes, in council tax changes introduced by the Government. Shadow Local Government Minister Caroline Spelman claimed officials have been ordered to include the value of street parking in a national review of council tax bands. She said it means that homes in suburban and urban streets could find their council valuations increased by several thousand pounds.

If that moves them into a higher band, they could expect to pay an average of £250 extra a year. The Valuation Office Agency would decide the value to a property of "on-street parking, the number of garage spaces and off-street parking". Ministers have rejected claims that they have given valuation officials the power to force their way into homes to check property details. And they deny that the review allows the use of satellite technology to find out if people have built extensions. (Source: Daily Mail, Dec/06)