Student Halls of residence as 'dwellings'
I wish to know on what basis student halls of residence are treated for (a) New Homes Bonus calculations and (b) for contribution to local authority housing targets.
I have tried unsuccessfully to get an answer from the VOA - they are not now even acknowledge my correspondence. The question was first raised with the DCLG on Oct 29 and then with the VOA on 4 November. It is absurd that no answer has been forthcoming by now.
All the details are covered in emails with Alison Dand of the VOA (the last being on 2 Dec 2012)
The essential enquiry is as follows:-
I cannot find a clear unambiguous statement of an example of the one which I believe to now be the most common form of new Hall:-
i.e. 3 or 4 story blocks with up to 20 single rooms on each floor, each with en-suite facilities but with (probably)
two shared kitchens and a shared lounge/ floor. I know that most students are exempt from rates, but I also understand that it is the VOA assessments which are being used to determine whether Councils can claim New Homes Bonuses on the number of new 'dwellings' when new such blocks are built.
I therefore wish to know whether the number of 'dwellings' created when such a block is built is dependent on the number of bedrooms (which may be en-suite but without proper kitchen facilities), the number of communal kitchens &/or lounges (in those cases where each room does not have a kitchenette)or on the number of discrete accommodation blocks.
Yours faithfully,
N.Siddle
Dear Mr Siddle
Our ref: 11753895.1/CEO
Thank you for your email below on what basis student halls of residence are treated for (a) New Homes Bonus calculations and (b) for contribution to local authority housing targets.
We will reply to you direct on this matter by 07 January 2013.
Yours sincerely
Christopher Oxley
Customer Service Team | Customer Service Caseworker | [voa request email]
Chief Executives' office | Valuation Office Agency 3rd Floor Wingate house 93/107 Shaftesbury Avenue, London,
W1D 5BU
Dear Mr Siddle
Our ref: 11753895.1/CEO
Freedom of Information request - Student Halls of residence as 'dwellings'
Please find the attached response to your email of 5 December.
Yours Sincerely
Christopher Oxley
Customer Service Team | Customer Service Caseworker | [voa request email]
Chief Executives' office | Valuation Office Agency 3rd Floor Wingate house 93/107 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5BU
This message is confidential and the information must not be used, disclosed, or copied to any other person who is not entitled to receive it. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender and then delete it.
Hi Team
I only sent over the initial handling record on Thursday so I have not got a reference number for this.
Thanks Chris
Action required by: CSM
(VOA) CCR Ref: 11754511.1/CEO
CST To Add (HMRC) FOI Ref:
Target date (15 w/days): 28-Dec-12 Deadline (20 w/days): 7-Jan-12
Title:Forename: N.Surname: Siddle
Company Name (if applicable):
In respect of (e.g. client):
Category of Applicant (if known) Individual
Email Address : [FOI #141325 email]
Contact Address:
VOA Property Address:
Brief Summary of what the request is about (including CCR subject) and highlight whether it is sensitive or subject to escalation report: Council Tax- definition of an individual dwelling for CT purposes.
Date Received: 05-Dec-12
Attach or embed request (here):
Action required by: CST
Date Closed: 18.12.12
Outcome: Answered in Full
Exemption(s) Used:
Embed reply here:
Round Robin: No EIR Case: No
Internal Review
Date IR Started
Date IR Closed
IR Outcome Upheld / Partly Upheld / Overturned
ICO
Date to ICO ICO Deadline
Date Reply sent to ICO Date ICO Closed ICO Outcome
This message is confidential and the information must not be used, disclosed, or copied to any other person who is not entitled to receive it. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender and then delete it.
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