On 1 April 2023, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) changed the rules of eligibility for self-catering properties and holiday lets.
Although the new eligibility rules came into force on 1 April, for assessment purposes the VOA will use letting information from the previous operating year.
It is the availability and actual letting of self-catering properties property during 2022-23 that will determine whether they are eligible for Business Rates rather than Council Tax.
The new eligibility rules
In England, your property must:
Local authority searches
A local authority search is usually requested by a solicitor on behalf of purchasers of land or property, and forms part of the conveyancing process. The standard questions give potential buyers details of any restrictions or legal obligations that are enforceable against successive owners.
A full search is made up of an LLC1 and CON29 enquiries.
Local planning authorities are required to publish a list of information they need to validate planning applications.
This validation list is based on national and local requirements.
The national requirements include application forms, fees, certificates etc. Currently, Copeland Borough Council does not have any formally adopted local requirements.
In order to ensure a consistent approach for Cumberland Council, which will form on April 1, 2023, in place of Copeland, Allerdale, Carlisle and county councils, we must now introduce a Local Validation List.
The UK Government now requires voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply to all voters who vote in person or by proxy, at the next local election on Thursday May 4 2023.
To vote in person, you must be on the electoral register and bring a suitable form of photographic ID to your polling station.
Which forms of ID can I use to vote?
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
Non council tax payer discretionary energy rebate application
Card payments online
You need your debit or credit card and your notice fine number. Continue to make a card payment.
Online Bank Transfer
Make your payment to Cumberland Council, quoting your Notice Fine number in the reference field, using these details:
Bank: NatWest
Sort Code: 01-09-54
Account Number: 83830324
Account Name: Cumberland Council
Card payments online
You need your debit or credit card and your invoice number. Continue to make a card payment.
Online bank transfer
Make your payment to Cumberland Council, quoting your sundry invoice number in the reference field, using these details:
Bank: NatWest
Sort Code: 01-09-54
Account Number: 83830324
Account Name: Cumberland Council
Card payments online
You need your debit or credit card and your Housing Benefit invoice number. Continue to make a card payment.
Online bank transfer
Make your payment to Cumberland Council, quoting your Housing Benefit Overpayment invoice number in the reference field, using these details:
Bank: NatWest
Sort Code: 01-09-54
Account Number: 83830324
Account Name: Cumberland Council
Direct Debit
Direct Debit is the easiest way for you to pay your council tax. Set up your direct debit online (please select ‘sign up for Direct Debit’ option under the Council Tax header when you reach the Copeland dashboard).
Four payment dates are available: 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd of the month.
