{"id":254518,"date":"2025-10-18T14:31:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T18:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=254518"},"modified":"2025-10-19T10:32:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T14:32:29","slug":"video-bowen-calls-property-tax-bill-draconian-urges-safeguards-for-homeowners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/video-bowen-calls-property-tax-bill-draconian-urges-safeguards-for-homeowners\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: Bowen Calls Property Tax Bill \u2018Draconian,\u2019 Urges Safeguards for Homeowners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen<\/strong> has branded the Tax Administration and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025<\/strong> \u201cdraconian,\u201d arguing that it gives government sweeping powers to seize and sell private property for unpaid taxes without adequate protection for homeowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during Thursday\u2019s parliamentary debate, the St. Philip\u2019s South MP<\/strong> said the bill\u2014tabled as a tool to manage derelict and abandoned properties\u2014could unfairly target people who simply fall behind on property tax payments. \u201cThere is no precondition that the property be derelict or abandoned,\u201d Bowen said. \u201cIf you default on a single property tax, you can fall under the draconianness of this bill and have your property sold.\u201d<\/p>

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Bowen urged several amendments to make the law more equitable. He recommended that properties be officially declared abandoned or derelict<\/strong> before any sale is considered, giving owners a fair opportunity to remedy the problem<\/strong>. He also called for government to clean and maintain the property for several years<\/strong>\u2014charging the costs to the land\u2014before pursuing a sale.<\/p>

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