The taxman hired US big brother experts to review its latest valuation and inspection technology. Leaving no stone unturned…
The Valuation Office Agency, now part of HMRC, hired a Washington DC-registered non-profit, the Center for Appraisal Research and Technology, as “critical friends” on its latest ‘Automated Valuation Model’ to value properties. CART are experts in ‘mass appraisal‘ of properties. Which HMRC will be doing every five years…
The VOA paid the consulting arm of the International Association of Assessing Officers for a 93-page review of its valuation model. The IAAO’s ‘Standard on Mass Appraisal of Real Property’ says property data should be reviewed and updated at least every four to six years, with properties physically inspected and revalued in the same timeframe. Where inspections are avoided it suggests the use of aerial and oblique imagery, LiDAR, and software to detect and flag changes to properties. That big brother snooping is the “international best practice” HMRC was told to use…
In response to Tory queries last year Labour said it hired CART for:
The Valuation Office says most “Mansion Tax” assessments will use public data, third-party data and satellite imagery, with internal inspections to take place where a feature can be confirmed nowhere else. Refuse the inspector and get a £200 fine before it gets worse…
Gareth Bacon, Shadow Housing Minister, tells Guido:
“Labour never stop looking for ways to hike your taxes. Now they are pulling in snooping experts from overseas to help spy on properties for their Big Brother database. They will stop at nothing to get their hands on your money.”
The US pioneers these kind of valuations, where physical home inspections are still common. Get ready to open your door for the taxman – and look out for his drone taking photos of your house from above…
Lee Anderson, speaking to The Sun’s Tom Scotson, reveals the wokest thing he’s ever done: “I once had a vegetarian thought, about becoming a vegetarian. That was quickly dismissed when I had a bacon sandwich…”