Council Tax Cost Cutting: reduce your band and grab any discounts Discussion Area

vivatifosi

Oh Daisy Bell, please don't give up! The VOA tried very hard to get me to withdraw and I soooo nearly did. It was only afterwards that I found out that they'd done it to my neighbours too! I look through the successes board and can't believe how easy some people have it, but very few live anywhere near me so I'm beginning to think this is more of a postcode lottery than NHS treatment!

Zebedeee

I know how you feel, Daisy Bell, but don't give up. You have nothing to lose by carrying on (except your sanity!) and it will be wonderful if you win. I really hope you have success.

Zebedee

cadgaboo

My son has been renting a mobile home for the last year or more on a farm. His water rates were included in the rent, but he pays his electricity through a coin meter (Landlords)
He's been paying his council tax seperately.
My son has just recently discovered that apparently when he moved into the mobile home his landlord (the farmer) had applied for planning permission for these mobile homes that he has on his land, which was turned down and the landlord appealed. It looks like things could go nasty for my son (who is now looking for somewhere else to live) because if the appeal is also turned down then my son will be homeless.
What we want to know is whether he should have been paying council tax in the first place! because in theory he's not actually living there, his mobile home doesn't excist because theres no planning permission for it.
We would appreciate any help at all. can he claim back all the council tax he's been paying since he moved into the mobile home?

Altarf

You have to pay council tax if your permanent home is that property. Whether the property is 'legal' or not is not relevant for council tax.

As he has been there for a year, then I think that he would struggle to argue that it was not his permanent home.

topbargainhunter

Has anyone else attended one of these, and if so, do you have any tips or suggestions for me? I'm quite nervous about it, and feel like I'm going to be on trial. I don't want to mess it up through nerves.

Thanks very much.

view

Hi

Have just read through and completed the steps as advised by Martin on the the banding of houses.

I'm fairly newish to the UK [especially when it comes to property] and don't really understand the banding council tax system.

I am a little confused though, most houses next to me, which are pretty equal show they are in the same band as me, however, one house that is worth a lot more than mine is F band and another house that is worth a lot less than mine is also in F band. How can this be? And is F the bottom of the banding scale of what you pay or the top?

I note Martin has added the 1991 banding schedule but what is the 2007 banding schedule so that I know my house hasn't increased/decreased against the current schedule.

I think I've tied myself in knots just thinking about this too much but would love it if someone could clarify for me.

Thanks
GJ x

Maisie

GoldenJill wrote: »

Hi

Have just read through and completed the steps as advised by Martin on the the banding of houses.

I'm fairly newish to the UK [especially when it comes to property] and don't really understand the banding council tax system.

I am a little confused though, most houses next to me, which are pretty equal show they are in the same band as me, however, one house that is worth a lot more than mine is F band and another house that is worth a lot less than mine is also in F band. How can this be? And is F the bottom of the banding scale of what you pay or the top?

I note Martin has added the 1991 banding schedule but what is the 2007 banding schedule so that I know my house hasn't increased/decreased against the current schedule.

I think I've tied myself in knots just thinking about this too much but would love it if someone could clarify for me.

Thanks
GJ x

GoldenJill.

F is near the top of the c/tax banding scale. G etc is higher so those properties are liable for more council tax. A is lowest. Have a look at the front page where the calculator is it will tell you the bands and range of prices for the 1991 banding. There is quite a variation in the bands so those two houses you mentioned could both be in the same band.

if you have an approximate idea of the value of your house use that in the calculator.

Maisie

topbargainhunter wrote: »

Has anyone else attended one of these, and if so, do you have any tips or suggestions for me? I'm quite nervous about it, and feel like I'm going to be on trial. I don't want to mess it up through nerves.

Thanks very much.

Look back at the posts on this thread. Zebedee and vivatisofi have been to tribunal and given a detailed account. There are other cases too.

Maisie

Daisy_Bell wrote: »

Yes I did see that vivatifosi and I copied it all too! But to tell you the truth, since the 'Out of time' Tribunal, I've rather given up I'm afraid. I'm finding the whole thing very worrying and stressful and I'm wondering if it is all worth the hassle! The VOA has promised me a further review and no matter what happens, I feel inclined to just pack it all in!

Daisy Bell. Don't give up. I feel the same at times but continue with the support of people on this thread.

We're all behind you and wishing you the best.

Maisie

cadgaboo

Altarf wrote: »

You have to pay council tax if your permanent home is that property. Whether the property is 'legal' or not is not relevant for council tax.

As he has been there for a year, then I think that he would struggle to argue that it was not his permanent home.

But as far as the council are concerned the mobile home doesn't excist, I just don't get it, sorry.