Huge Council Tax bill

lepetit

Ok I know I'm going to get shout down here because I am just so clueless!

We moved into a brand new house on 19th November, as I understood the council would get in contact with us about tax, they didn't I sent them an email about it and heard notihng back.
Just over a week ago I got a letter from VOA (?? I think) to say they had decided our council tax band on 18th January 2010 from 19th November 2009 then a few days later I got a letter from the council back dating tax from that date??? Over £500?? Have to pay all by 1/2/2010?!?

I know I'm going to look stupid here, this is my first house, first council tax bill so I really have no idea but how am I supposed to come up with that sort of money, with no prior warning in less than a week.
If they had replied to my email and said 'your property has yet to be banded when it has council tax will be payable from your move in date' I would have prepaired for it!!!

Please help!!! And please be kind!!

caeler

I think you need to call and speak to somebody, explain your circumstances and see what payment plan they can offer you. Please speak to somebody and don't get fobbed off, obviously they don't bother much with email.

Good Luck, I hope you get a little bit longer than a few days to pay such a large bill.

I don't think they'll let you owe it beyond 31 March, but perhaps they'll allow 2 monthly installments (Feb and March)? Just thought in the circumstances (of them taking 2 months to decide your band) they might give you a little longer? Others will know, I'm not sure if your allowed to carry it forward into the new year.

SuzieSue

I can't help with your immediate problem, but I think you should ring them and explain the situation and they should be willing to work out a payment plan with you.

However, it is important that you appeal against the banding ( I think you have a certain amount of time to appeal) as usually the council over-estimates the value of the house at the point in time that they use to work out the band.

I moved in to a brand new house 13 years ago and was able to reduce my band by one level.

HTH

lepetit

See I didn't even know the council tax year ended in March!!

lepetit

So just go straight ahead and appeal? I mean I have no idea how the houses are banded so how do I make the case for being in the wrong band?

patanne

If you search for "council tax rebanding" it should help you. Hope you succeed!

Errata

Phone them and ask if you can pay in 3 instalments at end of Jan, Feb and March.

PasturesNew

The council tax bill will be from the date you bought the house in November, through to the end of March, so nearly 5 months worth.

lincroft1710

However, it is important that you appeal against the banding ( I think you have a certain amount of time to appeal) as usually the council over-estimates the value of the house at the point in time that they use to work out the band.

VOA is responsible for council tax bands in Eng and Wales not the council and they do not overestimate the band on purpose, they try to get it right first time but they're not perfect. As it is a new house you have 6 months from date of VOA notice in which to appeal but you will only get a reduction if it can be shown the band is in fact wrong.

You will have to pay your CT bill whether you appeal or not, but if you do get a reduction any overpayment will refunded.

Be aware that non payment of Council Tax has serious consequences so please make sure you keep to any agreed payment plan.

Errata

How likely would it be that a new build was wrongly banded ?

lincroft1710

I'm ex VOA and after first tranche of appeals when CT came into force at least 50% of subsequent appeals were on newbuilds. Some appeals on newbuilds were successful but many were not.