'Time for a full revaluation of council tax bands?' poll discussion

leeroy221

The whole process needs to be changed. It should not be charged on the house value but instead on the number of occupants, earning etc.

I live in rented accommodation with my wife and baby boy. I work and earn an ok living, still struggle though! and my wife is on maternity with no pay for the next 3 months. We pay top whack for our council tax because of the value of the house yet we only empty our rubbish once every 3 weeks instead of weekly upon other things. Why should we be charged the full amount each time?

adder1

The real issue is that the difference between the top band and the bottom is too small: it's set at only 3x the minimum. This is grossly unfair and means that the poor effectively subsidise the rich.
We all hate paying taxes, but have to accept that the money has to come from somewhere. It would make sense to increase the top band to 10x the bottom and spread the rest out.

Brydav

Ideally, I think a complete revaluation is needed because it wasn't done very well the first time. However - it's unlikely to get done any better (or even as well) a second time around, so probably better to just leave it as it is!

Brydav

As an example of the drive-by/post code banding that happened 20 years ago, and would probably happen again if it was redone:

When built in the 60s, my street had 18 identical bungalows and one house - twice the size of the bungalows (originally built by the builder for himself, apparently). After reading about Council Tax appeals on MSE, I looked up the bands for the whole street. Unfortunately, mine seems to be about right. I also found out that, although the house is in the same band as my bungalow, two of the bungalows (which have since been extended & revalued) are in the next band up!

Apart from being a little bit jealous, I don't blame the house owner for not complaining that they're not paying enough (would you?!) but it shows how inconsistent the system is. I don't believe there would be a significant improvement if it was redone and, of course, the cost of doing it would probably end up adding to all our council tax bills!

roddydogs

Why can they do something about Million Pounds plus mansions in Wandsworth or Westminster paying less than the average Band D for the rest of the country.?

skorpio

I've long thought that a system of taxation based around the value of bricks and mortar is flawed. None of us can do anything about house prices and when the economy is booming and prices increase people pay more. When things take a downturn property prices still remain relatively high especially compared to the original valuation date set in 1991. Also, a little old lady who saved and worked all her life and lives in a big 4 bed house could be paying as much or more than a family of 4 adults all earning and living in a small semi. How can that be fair?

System

MY band is waaaay too low for the house so obviously I want them to stay just the way they are!!

woolly_wombat

I voted for a revaluation, but I actually believe that we need to totally rethink how we calculate council tax. I agree with adder1 that the gap between the top and bottom bands is far too wide. Indeed, I think the bands system is fatally flawed and we should have moved to a per square metre system a long time ago, with the amount payable adjusted to take into account average property prices per square metre for the area (ie higher for Kensington than for Wales!). Oh and the amount paid should increase immediately the dwelling is extended!!

*Louise*

I think they should rename the bands for starters

Around here Band A is a property up to £27k.....(Ha!). It makes it difficult for people buying houses to know what band they are or should be in with todays figures. This would now be houses up to 100k

I have checked my street and standard houses are band B, ones with a conservatory are band C and ones with an extension are band D - simple for us I guess :rotfl:

In the end though, it would be better to reassess council tax completely - it's really not a fair system basing it on the value of someone's house. They should take into consideration the income and the number of people in the property

zarazara

I live in a band A propertzy,I find I pay more per square foot of house than any other band. Thats just so wrong. if council tax was per square foot [or square metre] of property then i wouldnt be subsidizing big house owners.