LIVING in a house with a sea view or next to a golf course will land council-tax payers with bigger bills under plans to revalue people’s homes.

Home owners will also pay more for living in a conservation area, next to an open space, and having a swimming pool, tennis court or conservatory. And looking out onto hills, mountains, lakes and rivers may also incur higher charges.

People living in “gated communities” would also face heftier tax bills, as would those with roof terraces and balconies. Quiet roads or cul-de-sacs, penthouses or properties near convenient public transport could also be hit.

The government has bought a £45m American “computer-assisted mass appraisal system” to help it revalue homes in England for council tax purposes. It uses a range of “value indicators” to determine a property’s worth, taking into account for the first time factors such as the number of bedrooms, floors, garages — even whether the conservatory frame is made from plastic or wood.

Although ministers postponed the revaluation of houses earlier this year, fearing a backlash from middle England, they have already put in place the technical system for undertaking the review.

Caroline Spelman, the Tory spokesman on local government who uncovered the plans through parliamentary answers, said the proposed new regime was “more punishing than ever”.

She added: “This is the latest stealth tax — it’s a tax on the view from your house rather than a fair charge for local services. These characteristics will be used by Labour to increase council tax on homes by pushing them into a higher band.”

Houses in England were last valued in 1991, when the council tax came in.

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