Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that the Valuation Office Agency do not make bedrooms in single shared houses liable for council tax bills.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has a statutory duty to maintain accurate council tax bands and undertakes this duty independently of Ministers. The VOA makes banding decisions based on the facts in each case, with reference to relevant legislation and case law.

Some Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) have separate bands and other HMO properties are aggregated with a single council tax band. Decisions are based on the individual characteristics of the property, considering the nature of the occupation and the degree of physical adaptation. These decisions are supported by legislation and case law.

The VOA’s Council Tax manual provides further guidance about the assessment of HMO properties in practice note 6: www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-manual/council-tax-practice-notes#PN6