council tax / home improvements

[Hgrove]

have just read on www.bt.yahoo.co.uk that the taxman is considering using aerial photography to discover home extensions that mean the homeowner might have to pay more council tax. Can this be done in a cost effective manner?

[Oneeyedvic]

On the basis that every extension would need building regualtions for it to go ahead, one would think thtat the 'taxman' won't need to hire a company to take aerial photographs - just go into the archives of planning permission.

Still, that said, if they can waste some money and give the contract to someone you know, why not eh?

[tigerthecat]

or go to ggogle earth - you can see my front path, car and extention.

[buildersmate]

The same story is featured prominently in the Sunday Times today. Surely this is yet another headline-grabbing non-story. Every significant extension requires Development Control Approval (Planning Permission) and this is ALREADY used to raise a flag with the Valuation Office Agency that controls the Band a house is in (its nothing to do with Local Councils - they just use the info to assess householders for their bill). No change of banding occurs whilst the homeowner continues to live there, but on sale of the dwelling the Valuation Office Agency can and does decide to change the banding of the dwelling.