Property News - U-turn on BIDs levy

In a last-minute U-turn, the Government has opened the door to a levy on property owners to support Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). The Local Government Bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords on September 10, and it included a government commitment to initiate a formal review of the role of property owners in BIDs in 2005. The review will be conducted in three phases, concluding in January 2007.