Self-builders will now be exempt from paying a community infrastructure levy in a bid to get 3,000 stalled homes underway.
According to LG News:
Communities secretary, Eric Pickles, announced the changes to the levy, which will save self-builders thousands of pounds in charges. A council would previously charge around £100 per square metre for residential developments, meaning a four-bedroom house would incur a levy of £15,000.
Mr Pickles said: ?’Building your own home is always a challenge and we are doing what we can to help people realise their dream and provide a home for their family. This change will save self-builders thousands of pounds and help many more in the future.
?’By boosting the numbers of people building their own home we can help increase the number of new houses built each year in this country and support local businesses.
‘There are too many levies and charges on housing. By cutting these, we can help build more homes.’?
The exemption will cover homes that are owner-occupied and built or commissioned by individuals, families or groups of individuals for their own use.
From April, family annexes will also be exempt from the levy and from council tax.