Council Tax - appt to inspect my house!!! Help.

[SecondhandRose]

Had a letter from a Valuation Officer this morning saying the council tax people want to 'inspect properties'.

Does anyone know if they have a right of entry? I am getting stressed about this, I don't want people nosing about my housing looking at what we've got.

I would suspect they do have a legal right provided they give due notice, just like other utilities.

A right to go in every room in my house do you think?

Have they specified what they wish to look at?

Our neighbours had a pre-arranged visit when they moved in next door -I think it was because the house had had a loft extension whilst the previous occupants were there so had to be re-assessed to see what band it fell in. Neighbour said the man measured the area of the loft conversion.

I had one coem round they had a very quick look in to see what rooms there were. This was when we moved into a brand new flat that needed banding. I don't think you can really refuse, and if you could they would probably overvalue it so you had to pay extra.

We had one done in our old flat and all they did was count the number of rooms. They certainly weren't interested in nosing around and looking at what we'd got. It's nothing sinister and nothing to stress about.

Yes, if eneds be , probably to count the rooms - banding is based on no.bedrooms etc They may well only spot check the standard houses of a road and those which they know have indertaken work since the original valuations.

This was on the news wasn't it? They can put up the band of a house if it has good fittings and fixtures now?

Fortunately we moved to wales after this was piloted so we will not be visited, however if it's a change in regulations for price banding I wouldn't think there's much you can do tbh.

There's been press coverage of this - outrage in the Daily Mail - but it was all couched in terms of 'this will be happening' not 'it is starting'. Write back and ask them, explaining your concerns. You could always get awkward and demand to know which regulation or law gives them a right to enter your home (if they say they have this right) and whether every person who turns up has been criminal-records bureau-checked (given that you have children).

Mmmmm, I just really hate the idea. Big Brother is now watching us all. It makes me sick to think they can come in and count my bloody bedrooms.

Have a look to see what your neighbours are paying. If you stand out that may be why they are inspecting?

www.voa.gov.uk

Oh yes, I've just remembered, they were going to start charging us extra if we had nice views and stuff, weren't they?

Won't let them look out of my windows then...

Yes but the estate agents wax lyrical about the castle, cathedral and river, while ignoring the bloody great Morrison's eyesore and gas tank!

we had this about a year after we moved in, they did not want to come in, just walk round the outside and go in back garden, and they asked if we had done any alterations (i said no, we had put ina downstairs cloak though! naughty I know). and that was it - no raise in tax - phew!

I didn't see it in the torygraph or daily wail

Not bothered being wrong you understand, just don't want anyone thinking I read thos papers

Twas on the not very local (ie our TV won't pick up Welsh, only West) news

Just had one and she just measured the outside and asked me how many rooms were in the house over the telephone as I was at work when she called.

Didnt think number of rooms mattered.
We have gone from a 3 bed to a 2 bed and paying £20 a month more in Council tax.

Secondhandrose, the VOA website gives you some info. They can't forcibly come in. Look here