The number of quarters on many properties will go up because repair allowances have been scrapped.In some cases the assessments could go up by 50 per cent.
And unless the parishes drop their rate at the summer rates assemblies, that will mean increased bills.But Town Constable Simon Crowcroft says the parishes should be able to reduce their rate and still raise the same amount of income because the number of quarters will have risen.Simplified annual rates returns are being sent out now by the Parish Halls which include the rateable value of individual properties from last year.
Ratepayers will receive their assessments after they have returned the forms indicating whether they have carried out any improvements to their property.
If they have not, their rateable value will remain the same as last year and will stay the same from now on unless they carry out any major work on the property.Mr Crowcroft says the aim is to have comparable rateable values for comparable properties, irrespective of which parish they are in.’This will allow comparisons with similar properties around the Island and should make the system fairer,’ he said.The scrapping of repair allowances was agreed by the States when they approved the new Parish Rate Law last year.
The allowances were given to landlords for external repairs and to tenants for interior decoration and were allowed across the board with no evidence that any work had actually been carried out.
In the past owner/occupiers received 50 per cent allowances but will now be assessed for the full rate.The removal of the allowances means the number of quarters will rise but that does not automatically mean bills will go up, according to Constable Crowcroft.’The parishes raise their income by setting a rate per quarter.
The number of quarters assessed will rise this year so the parishes will be able to reduce their penny rate and still raise the same amount of income,’ he said.He’s confident that will happen in his own parish, where rebellious ratepayers have forced a cut in the rate in recent years.
However, he admits that with the rise in unemployment and the effect on the welfare burden, nothing is certain.’We are working hard very hard to increase our income and reduce our expenditure.
There should be no increased call on ratepayers but welfare could be an issue which is why we need to get something sorted out over funding by the States as soon as possible,’ he said.
