Window Tax UK

About Window Tax UK

The window tax was introduced in England in 1696 as a property tax based on the number of windows in a house. The tax was designed to be progressive, as wealthy people had larger houses with more windows. Many homeowners bricked up windows to avoid the tax, giving rise to the phrase daylight robbery. The window tax had public health consequences, as dark and poorly ventilated housing contributed to disease. The tax was also imposed in France, where it was called the door and window tax. The UK repealed the window tax in 1851 after decades of campaigning by health reformers. The window tax is often cited as an example of the unintended consequences of taxation. Bricked up windows can still be seen on old buildings in Britain.