DIY to boost council tax bills

30 November -0001

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People who spend their time improving their home may face higher council tax bills, according the the Governments valuation office.

The Department has confirmed that home improvements could push homes into higher tax brackets during council tax evaluation. All homes in the Uk are currently being revalued, ahead of the council tax review in 2007.

"Home improvements have always ultimately affected the value of a property for council tax purposes when it has been sold," a VOA spokesman told BBC News. "All that is happening now is that during the revaluation process we shall be catching up with how improvements have increased a property's value"

The Conservatives say that the plan was yet anothe example of a labour stealth tax.

Hard-working families and pensioners who have spent time and money on renovating their home will be hardest hit.

Armies of clipboard inspectors will be descending on every town in England to inspect people's homes to justify whacking up their council tax bills.

Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesman Sarah Teather said: "It's absurd for the government to be penalising people for investing in their homes.

"Council tax revaluation will just prove how unfair it is to base local taxes on the value of someone's home."

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