Prescott unleashes spy satellites to check on home improvements (U.K.)

The Times Online (UK) ^ | January 01, 2006

[Lorianne]

THE government has advised council-tax inspectors to use “spy in the sky” satellite cameras to snoop on people’s homes to see if they have added extensions, conservatories and even sheds that could boost the value of their property, writes David Cracknell. The Tories have unearthed official documents which show that John Prescott, the deputy prime minister, plans to use pictures from space as part of his revaluation of homes across England.

The data will be used to reband people’s homes over the next few years, meaning that property owners whose houses have shot up in value face higher council tax bills.

The government has postponed a full council tax revaluation but Prescott’s department is putting together a database of every home in England so that the levy more accurately reflects the true value of properties across the country.

Even minor improvements, invisible from the road, will be caught by the technology. Caroline Spelman, the Conservative local government spokeswoman, said the move amounted to a “new stealth tax on home improvements”.

Country homes will be at particular risk from the technology. According to an official handbook for inspectors: “Aerial photographs are particularly effective in rural areas where improvements are hard to see from the road.”

Spelman accused Prescott of invading the privacy of people who worked to improve their homes and penalising those who extended rather than moved to bigger homes.

[Dog]

This for real?

[mewzilla]

They can't check for renovations the old-fashioned way?

[barj]

Doesn't matter all that much, as far as being new or innovative. They inspect sale properties to look for these things anyway.

[DustyMoment]

Can't really say this is unique to the UK. Here in the US, I can call up my property on the county tax-appraiser's website and see an aerial photo of it. I don't believe they are checking for secret improvements, but the potential is there.

[lentulusgracchus]

In a blood-soaked world policed by tough legionaries and entertained by gladiators, publicans were the most hated men in the Roman Empire. This article proves that they're still hard at work earning that hatred. What dedication!

[Publius6961]

This for real?

Probably, yes.
Fortunately, in the US we don't have a "national" Real Estate tax, or we would be very familiar with the practice for decades.

Although I can't speak to the use of satellite imagery (until recently, it wasn't 'good enough' anyway), I can address the use of aerial imagery for exactly the same purpose in Marin County, California, beginning in the early 70s.

Since in California, and I assume in most states, Real Estate taxes are a totally county function, I am not surprised we here in the US don't hear more about the methods.

[D-fendr]

Reminds me of the old saying:

"If you think your home belongs to you, try not paying the taxes on it."

[Comstock1]

We argue about the efficacy of spying on terrorists in the US. The UK spies to increase taxes. When will people get it through their heads that Europe is quite a bit less "enlightened" than Libs and DUers say it is.

I would hope that something like this would spark a revolution in the US. Of course, we probably have become too docile.

[mewzilla]

What dedication!

What lunacy.

Reminds me of that Monty Python sketch about the big game hunters who used a tank, machine gun, flamethrower et al to kill a mosquito.

[Moonman62]

It doesn't seem right to punish people for improving their property.

[southernnorthcarolina]

Nothing new about the "eye in the sky." Speeding violations are spotted by helicopters and by unmanned cameras; indoor marijuana-growing operations are spotted by heat-sensors in airplanes; cameras are used to spot robbers of banks and convenience stores.

It's all a bit chilling. I don't like it. But I'm not surprised.

[mewzilla]

Well, in our neck of the woods, the assessors content themselves with tooling around in their cars to see who's doing what to their homes.

[vrwc0915]

ping

[dalereed]

"I can address the use of aerial imagery for exactly the same purpose in Marin County, California, beginning in the early 70s."

San Diego County has been using aerial overlays to check for improvements and personal property for years.

20 years ago my father in law got taxed for a ford loader that was missed for years because it was always in the barn on photograph day but one year it was parked outside and he got nailed.

[sgtbono2002]

You people are worrying about the President listening to Islamics who talk to terrorists while the tax man is watching your back yard and you worry about privacy??/ LOL

By the way your wife dosnt lie out back in the nude does she??LMAO

[Reactionary]

I guess the Orwellian implications of all of this are lost on the British.

What a bunch pusillanimous lackeys. They deserve to be slaves.

[Farmer Dean]

In our neck of the woods they better stay in the car,if they know what's good for them.

[Oztrich Boy]

They can't check for renovations the old-fashioned way?

Host (Eric Idle): Last week the Royal Festival Hall saw the first performance of a new symphony by one of the world's leading modern composers, Arthur 'Two sheds' Jackson. Mr Jackson.
Jackson (Terry Jones): Hello.
Host: May I just sidetrack for one moment. This -- what shall I call it -- nickname of yours...
Jackson: Ah yes.
Host: "Two sheds". How did you come by it?
Jackson: Well, I don't use it myself, but some of my friends call me "Two Sheds".
Host: And do you in fact have two sheds?
Jackson: No, I've only got one. I've had one for some time, but a few years ago I said I was thinking of getting another, and since then some people have called me "Two Sheds".
Host: In spite of the fact that you only have one.
Jackson: Yes.
Host: And are you still intending to purchase this second shed?
Jackson (impatient): No!
Host: ...To bring you in line with your epithet?
Jackson: No.
Host: I see, I see. Well to return to your symphony.
Jackson: Ah yes.
Host: Did you write this symphony in the shed?
Jackson (surprised): No!
Host: Have you written any of your recent works in this shed of yours?
Jackson: No, no, not at all. It's just an ordinary garden shed.
Host: I see, I see. And you're thinking of buying this second shed to writein!
Jackson: No, no. Look. This shed business -- it doesn't really matter. The sheds aren't important. A few friends call me Two Sheds and that's all there is to it. I wish you'd ask me about the music. Everybody talks about the sheds. They've got it out of proportion -- I'm a composer. I'm going to get rid of the shed. I'm fed up with it!
Host: Then you'll be Arthur 'No Sheds' Jackson, eh?
Jackson: Look, forget about the sheds. They don't matter.
Host (sternly): Mr. Jackson, I think, with respect, we ought to return to the subject of your symphony.

[Still Thinking]

We argue about the efficacy of spying on terrorists in the US. The UK spies to increase taxes. When will people get it through their heads that Europe is quite a bit less "enlightened" than Libs and DUers say it is.

No, no, no, you don't understand. There's no problem with spying for revenue enhancement, that's a GOOD thing. Anything that empowers the wealth destroyers at the expense of it's creators is to be cheered. < /liberal think>