Council doing surveys in my area

welnik

Ive today received a letter from my council asking if I would like to take part in a survey. Apparently "all councils are required by the government to undertake periodic surveys of housing within their boundaries". The results of the survey will apparently assist the council with irs housing strategy and bids to the government for additional finance. In return I will receive a £10 voucher and a free energy saving information pack.

They actually want to enter my property.

Im rather suspicious as to their "real" intentions as I have built an extension on the side of my house and turned it from a 2 bed to a 4 bed. Im sure this consititutes a change in rateable value and the real reason for their visit, is to have someone check our extension so they can rip us off for even more council tax!

hjb123

If you want to let them do but I personally wouldnt.

Like you say they will probably want to put up rates and taxes or summat once they have been. For the £10 it might not be worth the hassle you could have!

Its been in the papers recently that councils will soon be able to spy from the sky and look at houses from that and assess rates and taxes from that!

nearlyrich

We got a similar letter last year, we declined as they couldn't be bothered to address the letter to us by name when we pay a huge sum of money to them each month for the council tax and they know what we are called.

Purdy_1

I had a smililar letter from my local council asking to do a survey on my home and that the councils did "random" surveys like this. I have not answered the letter as I am also wondering what their "real" intentions are. I have no extentions or conservatorys though. I was not offered money either.

CIS

Its probably on the level but when they do come to re-value your home, the government are giving them legal right of access and and the right to levyfines on those who prevent access.

Heres a link regarding the council surveys
http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Housing/Housing_improvement_and_repairs/Housing_surveys/index.asp

Most of the council sites have a page about this

Fruitcake

You don't get an increase in council tax for adding an extension to your house, but a new buyer might if you sell the property. Your house will already have been re-assessed because of the new build and the information held pending a sale.

As long as you had planning permission and met all the requirements you shouldn't have a problem with a visit.

Incidently, if you buy a house that has been extended, you may have a bigger concil tax bill than the previous owners.

Fruitcake

You don't get an increase in council tax for adding an extension to your house, but a new buyer might if you sell the property. Your house may already have been re-assessed because of the new build and the information held pending a sale.

As long as you had planning permission and met all the requirements you shouldn't have a problem with a visit.

Incidently, if you buy a house that has been extended, you may have a bigger concil tax bill than the previous owners because of this.

welnik

Fruitcake wrote:

You don't get an increase in council tax for adding an extension to your house, but a new buyer might if you sell the property. Your house will already have been re-assessed because of the new build and the information held pending a sale.

As long as you had planning permission and met all the requirements you shouldn't have a problem with a visit.

Incidently, if you buy a house that has been extended, you may have a bigger concil tax bill than the previous owners.

Thanks for that. Very interesting. I thought you automatically became liable for more council tax.

Fraserca

If you applied for planning consent or building regs aproval then the council already know about your additional bedrooms.

superscotsman

welnik wrote:

Ive today received a letter from my council asking if I would like to take part in a survey. Apparently "all councils are required by the government to undertake periodic surveys of housing within their boundaries". The results of the survey will apparently assist the council with irs housing strategy and bids to the government for additional finance. In return I will receive a £10 voucher and a free energy saving information pack.

They actually want to enter my property.

Im rather suspicious as to their "real" intentions as I have built an extension on the side of my house and turned it from a 2 bed to a 4 bed. Im sure this consititutes a change in rateable value and the real reason for their visit, is to have someone check our extension so they can rip us off for even more council tax!

Yes this is part of an energy saving scheme. The truth of the matter is that they have your money to spend and they have come up with this nonsense. There are a lot of councils doing this round the country. Anything that has recycling or energy saving is a waste of time. The surveyer says he is from the council. He is actually from a private firm that got the contract because some council officials and the director of the company all have their trouser-legs rolled up at the same lodge. He has no right of accesss. Tell him to go hiss up a stick.

suki1964

I had that letter last year (without the £10 I may add) and as I do market research for a living I agreed.

Basically they question private homeowners so as to get a better picture of how council housing in the borough is percieved. My house is on an mixed estate, about 50/50 and if they only spoke to council tennents the survey wouldnt be a true picture. There were also a lot of questions about how I felt about the area I lived in general as well as ones about the house - like did I have an upstairs loo, bath, hot and cold running water etc. I can assure you the guy just sat at my kitchen table and asked the questions - didnt go for a snoop

Btw the person who came to do the survey was not a council employer. He was employed as a market researcher for one of the big companies.

Theres no ulterior motive. The council tax rebanding has been put back a few years so your extension is safe Let them in to do the survey - 15 mins at a time that suits you and a tenner in your pocket