Vacant Residential Properties

Lord Marlesford Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I would be pleased to do so.

[Lord Marlesford (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister not realise that what people would really object to would be a lot of ordinary houses that people needed being empty? That would be a very bad thing. But when these very big, grand houses held by foreigners are empty, what people really mind is that they are not making a proper contribution through the council tax system. A £20 million penthouse pays only three times what the humblest dwelling pays. Does he recognise that my Private Member’s Bill to reform that so that it becomes 42 times that would be a much better solution to the present situation, which is untenable and unsustainable, and certainly much better than the mansion tax, which is unworkable?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I agree with the final point that my noble friend makes. As I have said to him previously and in letters, the Government have no plans to look at council tax revaluation.