Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, on what date he was informed of the change in (a) policy or (b) practice of the Valuation Office relating to council tax for homes in multiple occupation and for bedsitting rooms.

The Valuation Office Agency acts independently of Government and is responsible for the banding of dwellings for council tax purposes, including property which involves a degree of shared living space. Its listing officers make their decisions based on the facts of each individual property, with reference to legislation and case law.