The government led by Andy Burnham has confirmed that HMRC valuation agents will be able to demand entry to homes across the country, with homeowners facing fines of up to £500 if they refuse or obstruct the process. The inspections are designed to determine whether properties are worth more than £2 million, which would make their owners liable for the new mansion tax.
Homes valued above £2m to face new tax
According to The Telegraph, failing to allow inspectors into your property would be considered a criminal offence, with a potential fine of up to £200. A separate fine of up to £500 applies to those who fail to comply with a formal notice requiring specified property information, under the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
The exact amount homeowners will pay depends on the value of their home, with annual charges ranging from £2,500 to £7,500. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that around 165,000 homes will be hit with the tax in 2028/29.
Treasury confirms home visits
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson confirmed that homeowners faced the Valuation Office contacting them to “arrange a visit”. Jonathan Russell, head of the Valuation Office Agency, told MPs in January that valuation professionals will “probably look at houses that have an indicative value of £1.5 million just to make sure we’re not missing anything”.
Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, a person who “intentionally delays or obstructs” an authorised valuation officer lawfully exercising powers to enter, survey or value a property could, on conviction, be fined up to £200. A person who, “without reasonable excuse”, fails to comply with a formal notice requiring specified property information in their possession or control could, on conviction, be fined up to £500.
Tory MP criticises 'Sheriff of Nottingham' policy
Labour Party leader Mr Burnham has been branded the “Sheriff of Nottingham” by a Tory MP as HMRC valuation agents are set to descend on British homes to determine eligibility to pay the steep new “mansion tax”.
Speaking to GB News, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Mike Wood predicted the “council tax police” would invade family homes to find ways to increase property valuations and raise the amount of tax homeowners pay. “It’s hard to believe that this is something that’s seriously being proposed in Britain,” he said.
“I don’t know whether 'Orwellian' is the word,” he said, lambasting the Prime Minister for the policy. “This is less Mayor of Manchester. It’s more Sheriff of Nottingham,” he said.
“This will affect voters across the country because although we know where they’ve set the threshold at the moment, I don’t think any of us believe that that’s where the threshold will stay once they’ve got this in force,” he warned. “And so they will be bringing in more and more homes into this super tax.”
