§ 53. Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to provide that rating authorities, when reviewing rating valuations in the forthcoming review, take into account the total value of heating installations installed, irrespective of whether the heat is supplied by gas, electricity or oil.
§ Mr. Denis HowellRating assessments are based on the rents which properties would be likely to command in the open310W market. Whether a heating installation affects the rental value depends upon whether it is part of the structure of the property and not upon the fuel used. Free-standing appliances would not normally be regarded as part of the structure, but many heating installations are incorporated in the structure and would affect the rental value.
My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present to alter the law in this respect.