THE top Kirklees Council politician is urging people: Don't let council tax inspectors take photos of homes.
Clr Kath Pinnock, Liberal Democrat leader of the council, spoke after fears that inspection powers will be stepped up.
Homes with patios, multiple bedrooms, conservatories and a scenic outlook could be landed with higher bills in a massive revaluation of England's 22m homes.
Clr Pinnock is calling for a privacy fight to stop snooping by inspectors.
She said people had raised concerns with her that inspectors would be able to take photos not only inside homes but also through the window.
Clr Pinnock said: "It seems that when revaluation takes place John Prescott is planning to charge people more for improving their homes with patios, extensions, additional bedrooms and gardens.
"It looks like people's privacy is being invaded yet again as Labour pushes up the tax burden on hard- working families who try to make their lives more comfortable."
Many people were worried about the tactics which inspectors would use, said Clr Pinnock.
She added: "I am concerned about how people - particularly the elderly - will be able to protect themselves from conmen posing as Government officials."
But the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister hit back at the claims.
A spokesman for Mr Prescott said: "Internal inspections of properties will only be undertaken - and by prior arrangement with the householder - where information cannot be gathered by an external inspection or through other sources.
"It would be extremely rare that photos are taken inside a person's home. This would certainly not be done without the occupier's permission."
It had been intended to revalue every home in England in 2007, in order to update council tax banding systems after a similar exercise in Wales.
But the revaluation was postponed in September, amid claims that it would lead to soaring bills. It is not expected to take place until at least 2010.
