Make Landlords of HMOs pay Council Tax or Business Rates

Cllr Shaun McGall recently signed a petition asking the Prime Minister to "Make Landlords of HMOs pay Council Tax or Business Rates."

The Prime Minister's Office has responded to that petition and they stated:-

"All property is assessed for taxation on the basis of its primary usage. Where it is used as a person's permanent residential accommodation it is classed as domestic and subject to the council tax. All other property, apart from certain exempt classes like agricultural premises, is treated as non-domestic and is subject to business rates.
Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) are treated as domestic property and are subject to council tax. However, it is the owners of HMOs, not the residents, who are liable for council tax. The Government has no plans to make owners of HMOs liable for business rates. To do so would mean treating them differently from other domestic property.
Properties occupied solely by students, regardless of whether it is a HMO or not, are exempt from council tax. This exemption is designed to benefit students, not landlords, because, in general, students are not normally entitled to income related benefits such as housing and council tax benefit.
The distribution of formula grant to local authorities in England takes account of the circumstances of each authority's area and its relative ability to pay council tax, expressed in terms of the council tax base. The calculation of a council's tax base does take account of exempt student properties. Other things being equal, the smaller the council tax base of a council's area, the larger its formula grant. This effect is modified, however, by the application of grant "floors"; that is, a guaranteed minimum percentage increase in grant each year on a like-for-like basis."

To see the actual petition click here.

Cllr McGall is obviously disappointed with this response from the Labour Government. Communties like Oldfield Park in University towns and cities across the country are being affected by the growth in numbers of HMOs and the associated issues of: bad landlords, unkept gardens and properties, late night noise, increased pressure on parking, poor refuse and recycling management by some tentants and changes in the business and retail mix to cater for this section of society.

The issue isn't about students but the over concertration of HMOs with a small geographical area. The national planning law on Use Class Orders must be changed to allow local councils to reflect local concerns and set limits on the number of HMOs in a particular street, or geographical area.

Central and local government most act to promote sustainable, balanced communities in which long term residents and tentants in HMOs can live together without street upon street turned over to the buy-to-let market.

Tackling climate change

Bath & North East Somerset Council and the University of Bath are looking to work with business to make an impact on climate change.

It has been estimated that small and medium sized businesses make a significant contribution to global environmental pollution but often do not have the resources to understand and act on the sustainability priorities of their business. The University of Bath in conjunction with Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking businesses with less than 250 employees to participate in a 3 year project. The project will help the businesses involved to cost effectively reduce their environmental impact whilst making savings themselves. It will also determine what can be done to improve the regional performance of businesses and provide the businesses the opportunity to access specialist knowledge and support.

The UK Energy White Paper and Draft Climate Change Bill demonstrate that business has a key role in delivering UK targets and must act now to ensure long term sustainability. It has also has indicated that “many firms recognise the benefits that investment in energy efficiency can bring, through lower costs, improved competitiveness and improved social and corporate standing. However, short-term cost considerations, lack of information and market failures can act as barriers to investment.”

Are you able to lead the challenge? For further information or to register an interest in participating please contact Kate Jenner at Bath & North East Somerset Council on 01225 477 573 or katherine_jenner@bathnes.gov.uk

Business Census launched by Council

Local businesses are being invited by Bath & North East Somerset Council to take part in a Business Census across the area.

Business development and investment is seen to be of vital importance to the future prosperity and wellbeing of Bath & North East Someset and its communities. The Business Census is one way in which the Council aims to develop its understanding of local businesses and their requirements, both now and in the future. The information that is collected will help the Council to look at how its services could be developed and to inform future initiatives.

Following consultation and testing with a number of organisations and businesses, the Census is about to go live. Copies of the Bath & North East Somerset Business Census 2007 are being sent to business addresses across the district over the next few weeks. Freepost envelopes will be supplied for the responses and the Census can also be completed online at www.business-matters.biz

While summarised results will be publicly available, no individual businesses will be identified or have their specific details disclosed and individual responses will not be shared with any third party.

All information supplied through the Census will be treated in strict accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and businesses will not receive any correspondence or marketing as a result of completing it.

An analysis of the Census will be posted on https://sslvpn.bathnes.gov.uk/http/www.business-matters.biz/, Bath & North East Somerset’s comprehensive business information website where businesses can also register on the on-line Bath & north East Somerset Business Directory.

Anyone wishing to find out more should contact economic_development@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 477748.